They just hang in there

It's really been hard to count them out. Losing the first of back-to-back games in the teams Western Canada trip, the Minnesota Wild looked all but dead for making the post-season. Then, the team goes out and puts up a 'W' against the Oilers in the second game and inches back into the logjam that occupies the Western Conference. The problem is there are only 6 games remaining and time is running out for a team that seems to be destined for the wrong side of the playoff line in the west. For things to turn for the good, Minnesota would have to put together a winning streak, something they have failed to do for most of the season. The fact is that winning one here and there is not going to get it done. A good old fashion win streak is what this team needs but something that this Wild team has not been able to do for most of the season. Minnesota has not nailed down 3 consecutive wins since way back in mid-November, so chances are slim that the team can pull out a good stretch now. And the lack of being able to string together wins pretty much sums up the season, an inconsistent ride throughout.

Consider the upcoming schedule. Next up for the Wild is a two game home-stand against the Canucks and Flames. Vancouver has dug themselves out of an early season hole and are within striking distance of the Northwest Division leading Flames, the second of the Wild's upcoming opponents. After those two division battles, Minnesota gets to visit the Red Wings, a team playing for the Presidents Trophy, so you know they won't phone it in. And even if they did, they probably have a better shot of winning than losing. The next game on the schedule is a home contest against the Stars, the only team remaining on the Wilds schedule that is on the down-slide and below them in the standings. Finally, the season wraps up with a home game against the Predators, who unlike Minnesota is above the ever thin playoff line, and ends on the road against the Blue Jackets, who have had a break-out season and will not falter down the stretch. And not only do the Wild have to take care of their own 'business', they must leap-frog the Ducks & Oilers, and possibly the Blues & Predators, the two teams which are currently occupying the final two playoff positions.

The team is hanging in there, but it is getting close to being able to call it. At this point, this late in the season, I guess you could have predicted early on that this was the way it would probably unfold, given the teams ups and downs from game to game. From a fans perspective, it's a bit tough to swallow considering the team went from winning the Northwest Division one year ago to hanging by a thread and very close to not making the post-season the following year. Very soon we'll know if we can call this season a total failure or just a disappointment...

Hold your applause please

It's easy to get excited after a win over the defending Stanley Cup Champions...especially with the way things have been going lately. But I encourage you, even beg you, to hold your applause and enthusiasm. Remember this has been a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde team all season. One test has been passed by our Minnesota Wild and that was a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Tonight, part II will be taken when Minnesota faces the Chicago Black Hawks and how the team emerges after a big win and little rest will be the answer.

The Wings did spot our Wild a two goal lead as Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard, who was playing in his first game of the season, looked out of place, especially early in the game. But to be fair, Minnesota came out hot and ready to play, so a mixture of the two set the tone for the game. Once again the Wild were out-shot, but as I wrote earlier, this is not an unusual occurrence. The key last night was that the team capitalized on their opportunities and was able to come away with a much needed victory.

Reigning iron-man no more

Too bad for Andrew Brunette, but his 509 consecutive games played streak ended when he was a scratch for the game against the Red Wings. And Brian Stensaas, who is filling in for Michael Russo over at the StarTribune, wrote that it looked as if Brunette would not even be taking the trip to Chicago. And even as 509 straight played sounds unattainable, imagine adding an additional 5+ seasons to that number. The all-time NHL iron-man is Doug Jarvis, who played in 964 straight from 1975 to 1987. So with Brunette's streak over, our league's current iron-man is now the Florida Panthers Jay Bouwmeester, who has played 319 straight.

Welcome back Weller

Craig Weller was back in action last night and it was good to see him. He has been out for the past 13 games with a head injury caused by a fight he had in the Edmonton game back on January 15. My take...it's simply unbelievable to me that a guy gets beaten with a foreign object the way that he did, (and by beaten, I don't mean defeated, I mean beaten), and nothing is done by the league. I am referring to the Weller-Sheldon Souray fight during that Edmonton game, where Souray hit Weller repeatedly in the head with a wrist guard. Now word is that Souray was 'talked to' during the All-Star break, and to that I say big deal. And just recently, an enhanced video of the incident has emerged that clearly shows the vicious attack. My question is where is it written that there is a 'statute of limitations' on dolling out penalties? It's sad, but this league is more worried about 'National Inquirer' tabloid incidents rather than the safety of its players.

Nolan continues to impress

How about our 16-year veteran Owen Nolan? He has emerged as one of our go-to guys lately and has recorded 6 points in his last 3 games and 16 points in 14 games. And consider he is only 1 goal and 2 points away from passing his last season totals, with 25 games yet to be played. I did not think he would make this much of an impact on the score-sheet, but it just goes to show you the value seasoned veterans can have on a team that has been up and down all season and is currently fighting for the final playoff position in the Western Conference.