The Infernal Ramblings of an Incoherant Mind

Look, I’ll be honest here.  There’s really not a whole heck of a lot going on in the Wild universe to talk about. 

I didn’t catch all of last night’s game, as I turned it off after the second due to a combination of my wife being sick, my daughter being on a sugar high (without any sugar, go figure) and my disgust at the way the Wild were playing. 

Imagine my surprise when I pulled up the boxscore on my Blackberry later on in the night only to see the Wild pulled out a win in overtime. 

“@#$!. @#$%. @#$!.” 

That was about what it sounded like when I found out I turned the game off about 20+ minutes of game time too early.

Buuuut, win we did.  And it was a big one too, at least in terms of confidence.  We won with Koivu out of the line up, we beat a Flyers team that is still pretty decent, even with the injuries that they are suffering through and Casey Wellman proved that he is a beast (or, in the immortal words of our almost-GM, a MONSTER). 

Wellman was our most impressive player on the ice for about 75% of the game that I saw, and that’s not a knock on him or on the team — he just played that good. 

He also proved that he’s a good teammate too, jumping Carcillo after his hit on Latendresse despite being a buck-seventy, soaking wet. 

But, since I’m not able to speak to much of when the Wild played well last night, I’ll instead focus on thoughts on tonight’s game. 

* Not that there’s ever a GOOD time to face the Red Wings, but tonight’s tilt could be a very poorly timed one for the Wild.  Why, you ask?  Because Detroit has lost just twice in regulation since the Olympic break and just once more in overtime.  That’s right, they’re 9-2-1 during that time and haven’t lost a game in regulation in over two weeks. 

And you know what else?  They’ve scored 41 goals in these 12 games while giving up just 30.  And since their last regulation loss?  23 goals in seven games, giving up just 13. 

* Josh Harding is probably going to get the nod in nets tonight for the Wild and I wouldn’t expect another disaster like the last time the Wild visited Motown.  Harding knows that he didn’t play his best game that night and he’s probably had this game circled on his calendar since.  He’ll be ready. 

* Playoff probability reports need to start taking reality into their equations as well. 

I understand that the Wild could theoretically still make the playoffs, but come on…Can’t we all just agree that 0.2% means there’s a snowball’s chance in Hades that they’ll make it and stop giving people unrealistic hope? 

* I was knocked out of one of my two fantasy leagues this season — the one run by Justin Bourne.  I feel like I should get a part of whatever he’s going to give out as a prize though if he wins it because, after all, it was my spectacular collapse in the waning weeks of the season that allowed him to sneak in at the 7 spot. 

* Is there any question that Latendresse for Pouliot is the best trade in the NHL, bar none?  Here are their stats prior to and since moving to their new teams: 

The Tenderness w/ MTL: 23 GP, 2 G, 1 A, -4, 11:21 TOI
The Tenderness w/ MIN: 49 GP, 25 G, 11 A, +4, 16:33 TOI 

{Author’s Note: Yeah, Latendresse’s work ethic was definitely the reason he wasn’t producing, not a lack of ice time or a stifling coach…} 

Pool Boy w/ MIN: 14 GP, 2 G, 2 A, E, 11:56 TOI
Pool Boy w/ MTL: 32 GP, 15 G, 8 A, +11, 16:53 TOI 

{Author’s Note: See Previous Note} 

Imagine that.  They both start getting more ice time and quality line mates and they both start producing.  Who woulda thunk it? 

* Can I gush some more about Wellman?  I’m absolutely amazed that this kid has just one point with us.  He was given more ice time last night and he responded by playing just a fantastic game. 

In fact, I would say that he played the type of game that’s been expected of a certain other young center all season long.  (Hint: It rhymes with Games Peppered.) 

* Speaking of good trades, Cam Barker is quickly falling into that category as well. 

He’s not flashy, he’s nothing spectacular, but he’s got a great shot, he’s played D well for us and he’s proving to be an effective partner for Mr. Burns. 

* And speaking of Mr. Burns (eeeeexxxxcellent), I think it’s safe to say that he’s starting to get back to form. 

His defensive mistakes have been drastically cut down on and he’s starting to play like Brent Burns can play.  It’s only a matter of time before he gets hot and starts burying the puck on a regular basis. 

Well…That’s it from me for now.  Enjoy the game tonight all!  The puck drops at 6:30 and it’s on FSN.