The Wild
played host to the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Los Angeles Kings one night
after a disappointing night in Dallas losing 5-3.The question as the Wild make
a push for the playoffs is how would they come out and play.
The Kings
have gone 27 straight games without going to an extra session. The last seven
meetings at the X between these 2 teams, four games have gone to a shootout.
The Wild
stand alone in fourth place in the tight west and two points behind the Wild
are the Kings. Minnesota comes into this game with a 12-3-1 home record.
There is so
much on the line as the season is rapidly coming to the end. This game figures to
be low scoring and tight according to the past history.
The stage is
set so, Lets play hockey!!!! The game Friday night in Dallas saw the Wild give
up three power play goals to the Stars. The team had been up to that game had
been very good on the penalty kill. The Kings in Saturday night score two power
play goals in two chances. It is very concerning as the season moves on.
The
positives far outweighed the negatives Saturday. The play of first line is
getting contagious as the second line with Matt Cullen, Devin Setoguchi and
Pierre Marc-Bouchard played a whale of a game against the Kings. Cullen scored
the first goal of the night after a beautiful pass was fed and Cullen deposited
the puck in the back of the net.
The first
line with Koivu, Parise and rookie, Charlie Coyle had a whale of a game. Parise
and Coyle score a goal each and Koivu extends his points streak with two more assists.
The goal by
Coyle was unbelievable as this big man is on his knees and somehow gets enough
muscle to put a backhand past Kings goalie, Jonathon Quick. The hustle and determination
showed once again.
The Wild
fall behind two goals at 3-1 to the Kings so just another positive as the team
does not quit. The team scores the final two to send it into overtime.
No scoring
in overtime and now it off to the shootout. The Wild send Parise, Koivu and
Cullen to represent them and they did not disappoint. All three beat the Kings
goalie in three of the prettiest goals I have seen in a shootout. The first by
Parise, what a move on the goaltender making it look so easy shooting around
Quick. The second by Koivu, what a move as a backhand shot up and over Quick’s
shoulder. The Kings get one of their own leaving it up to Cullen who comes down
and ends the game with a third straight beauty. The end result a huge win and a
Kings goalie who now needs a new stick after breaking his on the net after
failing to stop any of the tries.
The last 2
home games have been worth the fans money as both end in win one in overtime
and now tonight a win in a shootout. The Wild are now 13-3-1 at home with the St.
Louis Blues coming to St. Paul on Monday night.
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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