GDT: 2/4/14 - Wild vs Lightning - 7 PM CST/3 AM EET - Ferks Sperts Nerth

[WILDTATE10]

Beat Nashville on Thursday and we'll be looking pretty good going into the break. Hopefully no injuries to our guys in the Olympics and we come back healthy ready to go

 

[llamapalooza]

Zucker's in a tough position. When you're a two-way guy like Coyle, people will give you some leeway when you aren't producing because you're contributing more to the shut-down effort. When you're a pure shooter and you're not putting up points, people get on your case a lot quicker. Personally I think he's doing all the right things and creating chances and it's just a matter of time before he finds another hot streak like he was on last month, but it's easier to get on his case when it's not coming through on the scoresheet.

 

[rynryn]

what was his hot streak?

 

[Jaykay]

what was his hot streak?

Not sure but he had a nice little run with Heatley and Coyle the first time they were put together. That must be what he's referring to.

 

[llamapalooza]

Not sure but he had a nice little run with Heatley and Coyle the first time they were put together. That must be what he's referring to.

Yeah that's what I was talking about. Hot streak might have been a bit much, but here were his first eight games of his current stint with the big club:

Rk    G    Age       Date  Tm  Opp   G A PTS +/- PIM EV PP SH S    S% SHFT   TOI
8     8 21-351 2014-01-02 MIN  BUF W 1 0   1   1   0  1  0  0 3  33.3   17 11:36
9     9 21-353 2014-01-04 MIN  WSH W 1 0   1  -1   0  0  1  0 1 100.0   17 11:29
10   10 21-356 2014-01-07 MIN  LAK W 0 0   0   0   0  0  0  0 1   0.0   17 12:28
11   11 21-358 2014-01-09 MIN  PHX W 0 0   0   0   0  0  0  0 1   0.0   19 15:30
12   12 21-360 2014-01-11 MIN  COL L 0 0   0   2   0  0  0  0 1   0.0   17 13:15
13   13 21-361 2014-01-12 MIN  NSH W 1 0   1   2   0  1  0  0 2  50.0   20 14:11
14   14 21-363 2014-01-14 MIN  OTT L 0 0   0   0   0  0  0  0 2   0.0   25 15:55
15   15 22-000 2014-01-16 MIN  EDM W 1 0   1   2   0  1  0  0 3  33.3   19 12:30

4 goals, +6, and 14 shots in eight games.

After that he had a string of three forgettable (but not noticeably bad) games, then got scratched for a few, then had a rough game in Calgary, and then tonight was decent with an assist.

 

[rynryn]

Yeah that's what I was talking about. Hot streak might have been a bit much, but here were his first eight games of his current stint with the big club:

Rk    G    Age       Date  Tm  Opp   G A PTS +/- PIM EV PP SH S    S% SHFT   TOI
8     8 21-351 2014-01-02 MIN  BUF W 1 0   1   1   0  1  0  0 3  33.3   17 11:36
9     9 21-353 2014-01-04 MIN  WSH W 1 0   1  -1   0  0  1  0 1 100.0   17 11:29
10   10 21-356 2014-01-07 MIN  LAK W 0 0   0   0   0  0  0  0 1   0.0   17 12:28
11   11 21-358 2014-01-09 MIN  PHX W 0 0   0   0   0  0  0  0 1   0.0   19 15:30
12   12 21-360 2014-01-11 MIN  COL L 0 0   0   2   0  0  0  0 1   0.0   17 13:15
13   13 21-361 2014-01-12 MIN  NSH W 1 0   1   2   0  1  0  0 2  50.0   20 14:11
14   14 21-363 2014-01-14 MIN  OTT L 0 0   0   0   0  0  0  0 2   0.0   25 15:55
15   15 22-000 2014-01-16 MIN  EDM W 1 0   1   2   0  1  0  0 3  33.3   19 12:30

4 goals, +6, and 14 shots in eight games.

After that he had a string of three forgettable (but not noticeably bad) games, then got scratched for a few, then had a rough game in Calgary, and then tonight was decent with an assist.

ah, kay. you have a much looser definition of "hot" than i do. (edit: nm misedit. )

 

[Doobz89]

I think coyle needs to go back to wing when koivu gets back and he'll be fine.

 

[llamapalooza]

ah, kay. you have a much looser definition of "hot" than i do. (edit: nm misedit. )

Yeah I was remembering it being more than it actually was, but even still looking at the numbers, it was a really good couple weeks for a rookie who's been struggling to find some consistency and production.

 

[Wild Caniac]

Missed basically all the game, was at the Hurricanes game that the Jets stole. Glad to see at least one of my teams won. I heard some of 3rd on KFAN (iHeartRadio App thank you god) and it seemed like Haula had one hell of a game.

 

[gphr513]

Nice to see two more points in the standings, keep 'em coming!!

Being that I work weekday nights, for 7 PM games, I am usually driving home right at the beginning of the 3rd period, so I get to listen to Kurtz and Reid quite often. Those two are very good on the radio.

Let's beat the Preds and go into the Oly break on a bit of a roll! Hope everyone rests up and gets ready to go for the second half. And of course, hopefully those playing have a great (injury free) tournament.

 

[MK9]

Zucker's in a tough position. When you're a two-way guy like Coyle, people will give you some leeway when you aren't producing because you're contributing more to the shut-down effort. When you're a pure shooter and you're not putting up points, people get on your case a lot quicker. Personally I think he's doing all the right things and creating chances and it's just a matter of time before he finds another hot streak like he was on last month, but it's easier to get on his case when it's not coming through on the scoresheet.

I suppose if you consider turning pucks over and bad defensive decisions the right things, sure. Then yeah he's doing them.

 

[Blizzard6411]

Its really kind of sickening the amount of scrutiny that Zucker receives because of how Yeo has handled him.

Nice job turning a fan base against a talented player who has barely had a chance, a page right out of the Islanders play book.

 

[MK9]

Its really kind of sickening the amount of scrutiny that Zucker receives because of how Yeo has handled him.

Nice job turning a fan base against a talented player who has barely had a chance, a page right out of the Islanders play book.

Yeah, it's all Yeo's fault.

 

[Blizzard6411]

Yeah, it's all Yeo's fault.

How perfect he has to be is all as a result of how he has been handled!

 

[SupremeNachos]

Any update on Scandella?

 

[thestonedkoala]

I didn't like Zucker's game today. Misses too many easy passes...doesn't put passes on other peoples tape...misses the net consistently...etc. Zucker's really talented, but seems to lack the focus to make him a consistent top 6 player.

Zucker is the new Setoguchi!

 

[MNjens]

Any update on Scandella?

Nothing until tomorrow. Russo tweeted that it was a knee injury and made a comment that he's not doctor but doesn't look good at all. Hoping nothing serious. Guy has been solid all year for us.

 

[MNjens]

Great team effort tonight. Thought every line played their role well. Defense was strong, can't say enough about those 5 guys playing additional minutes.

1st line: Looked really good. Didn't get on the score sheet but they created a lot of turnovers. Hope Yeo keeps them together. Parise needs a guy like Granny that is quick through the neutral zone creating odd man rushes.

2nd line: Played well. Zucker's speed was evident. Would have been nice to capitalize on his chances but keep putting him out there and his speed will create a lot of grade A chances for that line. Coyle was more on the invisible side but I wouldn't say he played bad. Like someone else said I can take him not producing because he plays a good 2 way game.

3rd line: Nino looked solid. Glad to see him pot one. Kid deserves it. He's a warrior out there.

4th line: Haula is impressive. Doesn't play a rookie game out there. Very smart, and his speed is awesome. Love him on the PK. Could see him scoring a lot of shorties in his career. Actually like Veilleux on this line. Brings a ton of energy most nights and physical. Dumb penalty tonight but still love him over Rupp.

Kuemper was strong. Hope he has another good game against Nashville.

Welcome back Spurgeon! Kid didn't miss a beat being out a month.

 

[OpRedDawn*]

Gonna really hurt if Scandy is serious. The break should really help him either way though.

 

[Lapa]

This makes me happy. Who would have thought that the kids would do such a great job while the big guns were injured?

 

[NHL1674]

This makes me happy. Who would have thought that the kids would do such a great job while the big guns were injured?

Unfortunately, those standings now mean squat with the new playoff format. I really wish that was one thing they left alone.

 

[Lapa]

Unfortunately, those standings now mean squat with the new playoff format. I really wish that was one thing they left alone.

Yep, but it's still cool that we have more points than the Kings, for example.

 

[Puhis]

So, just watched it. Jesus ****, did Spurgeon even come back or what? He basically set up both of the goals, one was his rebound and the other was a Datsyukian pickpocket in the offensive zone. Balls of steel.

Kuemper looked really good, Nino was his usual aggressive self, Granlund was good once again and Zucker really adds an element of explosive speed combined with less-than stellar puck skills. Oh well, he's got the speed and the shot. I really hope he works on his stickhandling from now on, because he looks a lot like a left-handed Setoguchi with a tad softer shot and better wheels.

 

[57special]

Seto was way stronger, and has actually had a career in the NHL. Zucker right now is unproven, and has done nothing to deserve a regular shift in the NHL. I find it laughable that people want To blame Yeo for his lack of production and game smarts. It's on Zucker to show he belongs up here. Haula has shown a far better aptitude for adapting to the NHL game, IMO.

Was happy to see Spurgeon kick ass the way he did. Too bad about Scandella, but if ever there is a good time to have an injury, it's now.

 

[nickschultzfan]

I think coyle needs to go back to wing when koivu gets back and he'll be fine.

I don't follow this logic. Coyle was MORE invisible and LESS assertive at wing.