Wild tries to break gloom's spell

Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

Chicago kept the Wild winless on the road.

Minnesota is winless on the road but has higher hopes at home.

By RACHEL BLOUNT, Star Tribune

Last update: October 28, 2009 - 1:42 PM

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After falling to 0-8 on the road with Monday's loss at Chicago, the Wild might have expected a rigorous practice Tuesday. But when coach Todd Richards assessed his team's situation, he decided it called for a different approach.

The Wild never took the ice. Instead, the team stayed in its locker room for a 75-minute meeting and video session, followed by off-ice workouts. As the Wild winds up a tough run of seven games in 11 days -- including tonight's home game against Nashville -- Richards said he thought his players would benefit more from rest than they would from a full practice.

That doesn't mean he's going easy on them. Richards noted that his usual positive approach hasn't been effective; the Wild has lost seven of its past nine games, and it has yet to win in regulation. So while he and his staff search for answers, he is challenging his players to fully dedicate themselves to doing their part.

"The mood in the meeting wasn't very good, but that's where we're at," Richards said. "There are a lot of areas that need improvement.

"Things have to change. For the most part, the effort is there. But we need more commitment to certain things we want to accomplish as a team, and there has to be more commitment from each individual to bring more. My job is to maximize potential, but I can only do so much. It comes down to the players."

Richards called Tuesday's session "productive," and added that no roster changes are imminent. While he has sought advice from others in hockey, captain Mikko Koivu said the players will be best served by looking inward.

"It's all about individuals coming together, and everyone has to do the best they can," he said. "There are things we can do a lot better. I know we can do better; everyone knows we can. It's just about doing it, and I'm sure we will."

Though the Wild continues to make mistakes and suffer lapses, Richards said he remains pleased with the effort -- and with the attitude. "I know the players in the room all care," he said. "They have a lot of pride.

"We still have a long ways to go, and I'm very confident. When you talk with the guys, especially the leaders, they believe. And to me, that's the biggest selling point right there. You have guys in the room that believe and care."

Hard sell

Though the Wild has won all three of its home games, its overall record could imperil its sellout streak. Wild vice president Bill Robertson said the sales and marketing staffs are trying to keep the string going on a game-by-game basis, and he added that employees in all departments have been asked to do what they can to help fill seats.

"Everyone in our business is in the ticket-selling business,'' he said. "It's an organizational goal."

Etc.

• Goalie Anton Khudobin, recalled from Houston to fill in for the ailing Josh Harding, joined his new teammates Tuesday morning. Harding has lower-body soreness, but Richards said it doesn't appear serious.

• Derek Boogaard, who missed two games because of illness after returning from a concussion, was a healthy scratch Monday and will be available tonight.

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