Gameday Thread: Pre Season Game 4 – Blues @ Wild
Posted by bcbenzel on September 24, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Well, we’re in the wake of an extremely big announcement, with Wayne Gretzky stepping down as the Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations of the Phoenix Coyotes.
That said, there’s still hockey being played tonight people!
The St. Louis Blues march into Minnesota tonight as one of the last two stateside exhibition games and, hopefully, we’ll see a little more competitive Wild team tonight than we did in the first go around.
Lineups
Per Mike Russo today:
Tonight’s lineup looks to be (by sight): Hilbert, Nolan, Irmen, Burns, Miettinen, Smith, Havlat, Sheppard, Clutterbuck, Johnsson, Schultz, Zanon, Belanger, Brodziak, Earl, Scott, Sifers, Kassian and and and and I’m looking, hang on, Gillies.
You’ll notice that’s too many forwards. Brodziak’s wearing white with Koivu and Brunette, so Brodziak might be getting his first exhibition game off.
Backstrom in goal for 60 is the plan. Harding backing up.
Still nothing announced for the Blues, but I’ll keep you updated as I hear anything.
What to Watch For
Pugilism galore.
The last game between these two teams saw fists flying early and often and, with Scott and Kassian both in the line up for tonight’s game, it should be much of the same.
On the same token, though, look for a much more competitive game from the Wild this time around. The team will have many more regulars in the line up tonight and should be a lot more competitive.
In terms of players trying to make the team, the ones with the best shot that are playing tonight are Hilbert, Irmen, Scott, Sifers and Gillies.
But…
With the news that enforcer Derek Boogaard is out indefinitely with a concussion, John Scott is likely nearly a lock to make the opening day roster. If that is the case, I’d look for Irmen and Gillies to both be on the opening day roster as well.
Also, Backstrom is likely playing 60 minutes tonight and has yet to give up a goal this pre-season. This should be his first real test tonight, so it will be interesting to see how he does in a full game of action.
Keys to the Game
Staying healthy. The Wild are one of the many teams this pre-season that have been victimized by the injury bug and they are saying it’s due, in large part, to soft ice. While the ice at the X has always been among the league’s best, this season it has been the culprit of a few tweaked “lower bodies.”
At least it’s not a game of hackey sack.
In any event, look for the fringe players to be playing more of what their role might be in the regular season were they to make the team tonight. Also, keep an eye on special teams for the Wild, as Richards has been trying to drill his philosophy into their heads over the last couple days.
