Missed opportunity

The Minnesota Wild missed a big opportunity last night against the Phoenix Coyotes when they threw 2 valuable points out and were shut-out 2-0. The outcome of this game is very unfortunate simply because of what lies ahead...3 road games against divisional foes.

Sticking with a previous assessment that this team would miss the playoffs, there may have been some second guessing going on in light of the teams recent play. However, in order for any serious standings movement, the Wild absolutely need to dispatch of the conference middle-pack teams such as the Coyotes. In all fairness, Phoenix came into the game on a hot streak, winners of their past 4. But considering that the Wild were on a 5-game winning streak of their own, one would have thought that the team was past the uninspired play that plagued them early in the season. But uninspired is what we got, for the second time this season against the team from the desert.

Even though the Wild have snagged points in 13 of their last 17 games and seem to be on the right track, it is teams like Phoenix, Nashville, Dallas, & the remaining Western Conference bottom dwellers where the Wild need to keep the points coming in. The reason being is that the fact is this team has no chance at catching to top teams. San Jose, Chicago, Colorado, and Calgary are teams that are out of reach plain and simple. So when it comes time to face the teams teetering on the edge, Minnesota needs to take advantage.

The Wild now finish out this road-trip in Colorado, Calgary, and Vancouver...good luck!