Havlat using his prolific past as inspiration to shake slump

Martin Havlat played with more confidence, even if it didn't result in any points.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: November 8, 2009 - 12:06 AM

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When things are going south, positive imagery is often a big help.

When Marian Gaborik would slump, he'd watch Gaborik highlights to get his mojo back.

In an attempt to revive the real Martin Havlat, the Wild winger sat alone in front of a television watching some of his goals from last season's career year in Chicago.

Even though he didn't score during Saturday's 3-2 victory over Dallas, Havlat was a much more confident, motivated player. He skated well, shot the puck and schooled defenders.

"It's not the start I wanted, or we wanted as a team. We win together and lose together," said Havlat, who has one goal and six assists in 14 games. "But individually, this is probably the worst start I ever had, so it can only get better. I just have to keep working and sooner or later it'll start coming."

Havlat's a pass-first player on a team with few natural shooters. He's been setting up teammates, but they haven't been burying the chances.

That means Havlat might need to alter his game. He has been passing up shots (32 in 14 games).

"If somebody's in better position than me, I give him the puck. I always did, and I always will," Havlat said. "Sometimes I'm trying too much to look for the better play, so I should shoot more often and maybe be a little bit more selfish. It might be true."

During the preseason, Havlat was dominant at times with a team-leading four goals and five points in four games. Coach Todd Richards is looking for that player.

"Marty, his skating ability, he has the power and leg strength to beat guys in foot races for pucks," Richards said. "He has to get better at using his legs and assets that he has. It's getting to those loose pucks, getting to the open ice where he can either shoot the puck or make plays.

"It's also just getting to the front of the net ... and getting his nose dirty. A lot of guys are still trying to find their games, and Marty's no different."

Richards said Saturday was Havlat's "best 60-minute game."

Pouliot is back

Benoit Pouliot, scratched the past three games, returned to the lineup and played a strong game in place of James Sheppard, who was scratched for the second time.

Richards said Pouliot was benched so long because he didn't want to change a winning lineup after consecutive wins last weekend.

"But I don't want average, I don't want mediocre. I want more than that," Richards said. "Poolie's a guy that can skate, he's big and he can bring that physical element. If he's on the fourth line, that's what he has to do.

"But you have to earn that ice time to get up in the first two lines, but I don't have everyone banging down the door wanting to get that ice time. You want guys pushing each other for that ice time and we don't have a lot of that going on."

Injury update

Veteran Petr Sykora was lost in the third period when it looked like his head hit the glass on a leaping check by the Stars' Steve Ott. Richards thought the hit was "questionable." Sykora was taken to a local hospital; no other updates were available.

Meanwhile, defenseman Kim Johnsson missed his seventh game because of a shoulder injury, but Richards said he's getting "close." The team's targeting Tuesday's game in Toronto, and if not there, "definitely" Tampa Bay, Richards said.

"I still have some issues that I need to work on, and I'm doing that," Johnsson said.

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