Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau and Wolves head coach Tom Thibodeau both arrived last season with significant expectations as accomplished coaches taking over promising teams. They also brought different styles.
Boudreau was able to show off the happier side of his personality plenty a year ago when the Wild set a franchise record for points.
Thibodeau's facial expression during a 31-51 season a year ago rarely changed from a scowl, unless it was to something worse.
This year, Thibodeau already has declared in the midst of a winning streak that has now grown to five games for a 7-3 team that he is "never happy." But he's also shown a smoother edge, according to new Wolves forward Taj Gibson,
Boudreau, meanwhile, has had reason to be the truly grumpy one of the pair. "Those were probably the most embarrassing two periods I've been involved with," he said after the Wild's loss to Boston.
Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. michael.rand@startribune.com.
