I thought the call was fine. We've had three calls reversed our way.
Wild lost because they didn't show up the first two periods. They started working in the third, but the PP was a complete failure again.
Top line hasn't been a force for several games now at even strength. I don't want to see Parise gone because he's the engine of the team and that line (and as Russo calls him the heart and soul of the team). I'm curious to see Vanek on that line though.
Granlund and Pommer have been passengers far more often than not the last couple weeks. They need to get on it. I don't think Vanek will be the answer because he's the biggest passenger on the team, but it's worth a shot.
Koivu had a good game. Zucker/Coyle weren't much of a factor again. So Koivu's had a good game every other game now, hopefully he can find some consistency. I still don't think Coyle adds much to that line offensively and Zucker is getting pushed around facing the tough matchups, but what can you do.
Vanek...just awful. Again, turnovers, not getting shots through, stupid plays. He and Nino together seem to bring out the worst in each other. Brodz helps that line work a little, but he just has brick hands so the plays die.
I didn't notice the fourth line at all.
Dumba and Prosser need to go away. Just awful plays by the tonight. Dumba is not ready for the NHL. He will have a good game sandwiched by 2-3 bad games. Turnovers, mistakes, mis-reading the play. He needs to gain experience in Iowa, not cost the Wild points.
Prosser doesn't add anything. At his best, he does nothing negative. Tonight, again, turnovers and mis-reading plays.
Kuemper as well, he doesn't look ready for a 50+ game starter. He's been letting in a lot of soft goals lately. He can't play the puck at all. So much to work on, and I don't think the NHL is a development league.
I'm really concerned with the injuries. Spurgeon arguably keeps the defense going after Suter, and he's nowhere to be seen. Brodin is playing hurt and not close to his level of play before his injury. Now Parise goes out with an undisclosed upper-body injury...
Look, I get the Wild aren't going to win every night, and I'm sure a lot of people will say "oh but we outshot them"...the Wild got smoked. The game was pretty much done 5 minutes into the second period and they didn't start playing until the third.
I'll start putting together the stats, but look at the record vs teams above 500 and below:
Opponents at/below 0.500:
Record: 4-0-0
Goal Diff: 14-1 = +13
Above 0.500:
Record: 3-4-0
Goal Diff: 21-21 = 0
I don't like where this is headed. Wild need to get their top six players playing like top six players, depth guys making an impact again, and their defense controlling the puck again.
