Three Keys to Success for Minnesota Wild Over Anaheim Ducks

In this post, we discuss how the Minnesota Wild can continue the momentum from the Kings’ victories and how they can defeat the Ducks, so let’s dive in!

The Wild are marching into Anaheim after consecutive over-time thrillers in LA, The Ducks should be slightly frightened by the fact that the Wild are 2-0 and are proven to be dangerous with their newest additions.

The Wild are coming into the series against the Ducks after Anaheim dropped a pair of games against the lethal Vegas Golden Knights.

Take Advantage Of A Sleepy Defense

Although the Ducks have seasoned names such as Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Kevin Shattenkirk, it seems that group was helpless at the mercy of the Golden Knights offense as they were out done by speed and skill.

For the Wild to be successful, the 3 forwards who provide the most offensively for Minnesota-  Zach Parise, Kevin Fiala, and Kirill Kaprizov– need to be dominant and productive against the Ducks. Anaheim’s defense was shelled during the first pair of games against Vegas, and if they sleep on the Wild, this could prove to be another successful pair of games for the Wild.

Wild fans remember the final goal in the Regular Season fondly:

Neutralize Maxime Comtois

The former 2nd round pick in the 2017 draft seems to be suddenly heating up in Anaheim after putting up 3 goals in 2 games against the Knights. Just like Vegas was lethal, Maxime Comtois found a way to penetrate a solid defense that consists of newly signed Alex Pietrangelo and rugged blueliners Zach Whitecloud and Brayden McNabb.

If the Wild’s defense slips, I’m sure Comtois will find a way to capitalize on any errors made in the neutral zone and defensive zone. For this instance, I’m going to say that Ryan Suter or Carson Soucy should be the dmen to be wary of in matchups against Comtois if he’s on the ice.

Cam Talbot Needs To Be Sharp

Although some Wild faithful may not have enjoyed watching some of the netminding done by Talbot against LA, I still believe he’s a good goaltender, and some of these things are growing pains to be quite frank.

More from Gone Puck Wild

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I’ve noticed that Talbot seals his 5-hole quickly and is quick to flash the glove, both traits I think are good in goalies. He did fumble the puck against the Kings on a Jeff Carter shot, but not all goalies are perfect.

Even though he has 6 goals allowed thus far, his stats don’t look as grimacing as some may think. Talbot is sporting a .910 save percentage and 2.85 goals-against average which in my opinion isn’t that bad. Some of the goals were created from real awkward bounces off of Kings or his own defensemen skates.

It should be a fun matchup to watch when the Wild take on the Ducks, lot’s of fun and excitement that hockey is back and Minnesota is doing great.

All data was found at nhl.com and eliteprospects.com