sports
Michael Rand started RandBall with hopes that he could keep lies from conquering the minds of the weak. So far, he's only succeeded in using the word "redacted" a lot. He welcomes suggestions, news tips, links of pure genius, and pictures of pets in Halloween costumes here, though he already knows he will regret that last part.
Follow Randball on Twitter
Thursday (Three thoughts from last night's Wild game) edition: Wha' Happened?
Posted by: Michael Rand under NHL news, Wild coaching Updated: January 31, 2013 - 10:20 AM
In any event, we attended last night's Wild game and sat between two maestros in the press box -- Russo with his kinetic hockey energy and Reusse with his one-line pearls of observational wisdom. Having only casually kept up with the team for the first handful of games, here are our three big thoughts from what we saw against Chicago:
1) The Wild finally got some production from its second and third lines (goals in regulation by second-liner Matt Cullen, pictured during his shootout clincher, and third-liner Cal Clutterbuck). That said, we still aren't crazy about the way the lines shape up -- particularly the second line. Cullen, Devin Setoguchi and Mikael Granlund just aren't the right mix. The problem is the first line can't be touched -- those guys are playing at such a high level, even if last night wasn't their best game -- and the third line seems to be developing some nice chemistry. Clutterbuck and Pierre-Marc Bouchard play well together, and Kyle Brodziak is a nice third component. So what do you do? Well, Mike Yeo can be patient and hope the second-liners click on a more consistent basis. He can juggle lines, but again we like the dynamic of the first and third lines. Or the Wild can dip into Houston and see if a forward there can provide a spark. We would be intrigued to see what Charlie Coyle -- a big, power forward -- could bring to the mix. But who would be the odd man out? It's a tough call with no perfect answer.
2) Give Yeo tons of credit for the quick hook on Josh Harding last night. It was clear from the start that he was fighting the puck, giving up a bad-angle goal and getting off the hook when another similar shot rang the crossbar. Yeo pulled him after just two goals allowed -- and the Wild down 2-1, since Minnesota had scored first. The game was still very well in hand at that point. In an 82-game season, we're guessing Harding gets another goal before getting hooked. And maybe the Wild doesn't win that game. But Yeo demonstrated the proper sense of urgency, and Niklas Backstrom rewarded him with a stellar performance that led to two big points.
3) It was not an especially aesthetically pleasing game to watch. The Wild looked gassed about halfway through, playing the second leg of a back-to-back. But there is this: Minnesota overcame a rough start from its goalie, tired legs and a shootout against Chicago's ultra-talented shooters to claim two very important points in a short season. And let's not forget: that was the Blackhawks' first loss of the year after starting 6-0. Very good win.
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- TFD: Chuck Norris wrote a column defending/adoring Tim Tebow
- Vikings kicker Blair Walsh knows how to fix the NBA draft lottery
- RandBall: Twins tone deaf with their Tweeting after being swept by Atlanta
- TFD: If you're going to get an elaborate tattoo, make sure it is proofread (unlike Kevin Durant)
- Video comparison: Plouffe and Morneau concussion plays eerily similar
- Tweets about serious crime accusation coming from Jose Canseco's account
- Wednesday (Mauer, The Nook and life's narrative) edition: Wha' Happened?
- TFD: Report -- Massive layoffs at ESPN
- RandBall: Gardenhire on Deduno vs. Gibson
- Tuesday (A classic Joe Mauer letter) edition: Wha' Happened?
- RandBall: Are Buxton and Sano the next Mike Trout and Bryce Harper?
- RandBall: Tom Brady's son wearing a Gophers sweatshirt. Class of 2026?
- Monday (The end of Joe Mauer's remarkable streak) edition: Wha' Happened?
- Weekend Links with Jon Marthaler: In-season cup competition in college baskeball? Brilliant!
- RandBall: Catching up with Squints, Ham and the director of 'The Sandlot'
- Video: Inside-the-park home run with a flip over the catcher? Sure
- Saban disappointed that ex-Gophers coach called him 'the devil himself'
- RandBall: We're learning what Pitino wants from his Gophers
- RandBall: Former Gophers coach calls Nick Saban "the devil himself"
Post By Category
- Rayno: Buzz about former Gophers' Mbakwe and Williams
- Wild season ticket prices go up
- Indiana defeats Gophers 4-2, sending Minnesota to losers bracket in Big Ten Tournament
- RandBall: Twins tone deaf with their Tweeting after being swept by Atlanta
- 2013 Lynx roster is set: Rodgers gets final spot
- Dayton signs Legacy bill; vetoes metro parks, invasive species $$
- Rayno: Is next year a rebuilding year for the Gophers?
- VikesCentric: Moving Joe Webb to wide receiver is worth a shot
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters