2022 NHL Winter Classic: Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues Official GDT

[CreaseAndAssist]

Wild vs. Blues - Winter Classic Game Preview

 

Minnesota Wild (19-9-2)  40pts  2nd in the Central

3.63 Goals For Per Game (2nd in the NHL)

3.00 Goals Against Per Game (19th in the NHL)

 

17.5% Power Play (22nd in the NHL)

81.1% Penalty Kill (12th in the NHL)

 

Top 5 Scorers:

1. #97 Kirill Kaprizov ~ 12G 24A = 36pts

2. #38 Ryan Hartman ~ 14G 12A = 26pts

3. #36 Mats Zuccarello ~ 8G 16A = 24pts

4. #17 Marcus Foligno ~ 13G 7A = 20pts

5. #22 Kevin Fiala ~ 6G 14A = 20pts

 

Top 3 PIM’s:

1. #17 Marcus Foligno ~ 50 PIM’s

2. #21 Brandon Duhaime ~ 44 PIM’s

3. #38 Ryan Hartman ~ 29 PIM’s

 

Top Goaltenders:

1. #33 Cam Talbot (15-7-1)  2.83GAA  .914%SP

2. #34 Kaapo Kahkonen (4-2-1)  2.75GAA  .905%SP

 

Vs.

 

St. Louis Blues (18-9-5)  41pts  1st in the Central

3.38 Goals For Per Game (6th in the NHL)

2.66 Goals Against Per Game (9th in the NHL)

 

29.4% Power Play (3rd in the NHL)

83.1% Penalty Kill (7th in the NHL)

 

Top 5 Scorers:

1. #91 Vladimir Tarasenko ~ 13G 19A = 32pts

2. #25 Jordan Kyrou ~ 10G 18A = 28pts

3. #18 Robert Thomas ~ 3G 20A = 23pts

4. #57 David Perron ~ 7G 12A = 19pts

5. #90 Ryan O’Reilly ~ 5G 13A = 18pts

 

Top 3 PIM’s:

1. #72 Justin Faulk ~ 23 PIM’s

2. #47 Torey Krug ~ 20 PIM’s

3. #89 Pavel Buchnevich ~ 18 PIM’s

 

Top Goaltenders:

1. #50 Jordan Binnington (9-6-3)  2.83GAA  .911%SP  1SO

2. #39 Charlie Lindgren (5-0-0)  1.22GAA  .958%SP

 

I posted the game day thread a bit early because of family commitments (i.e. my family celebrating X-mas today) and also because of some advice I impart on attending an outdoor game I thought it might be good to give it a little bit more soak time.  Besides, we've been waiting a long time for this; not just to host the Winter Classic but actually playing a game with all of the postponements, etc.  Let's get the Winter Classic conversation started!  

[ClusterChuck]

While the media and the NHL is loving all this extreme weather for the hype, I'm hoping it doesn't ruin the experience for the players and fans in attendance. (Mostly the players)
Both teams have players missing but for us to have Ek and possibly Brodin out makes this game tough. Spurgeon obviously wasn't 100% in his brief return either.
Neither team will probably want to go any extra time on this one but I expect a close game. 
Let's go with a Wild win 4-3 and jump back to 1st place.

Just bought a bigger monitor with crazy resolution. Looking forward to seeing this and future games now. 

[lynxrattle]

There's no question this is an important game.

 

1. We need the points from a rival.

2. We need the recognition gained from a huge event like this.

3. We need to end the skid.

4. We need to show the coaching team extension decision was the right one.

5. We need to gain an edge against a potential playoffs rival.

 

I hate to write this prediction, but I'll go with a clear Blues win, 5 -2. Losing 4 in a row, losing key players from the line-up, then facing a majorly important challenge with a week's pause... "bad trouble", like Easy Pete from Fallout New Vegas would say.

[ClusterChuck]

13 hours ago, lynxrattle said:

There's no question this is an important game.

 

1. We need the points from a rival.

2. We need the recognition gained from a huge event like this.

3. We need to end the skid.

4. We need to show the coaching team extension decision was the right one.

5. We need to gain an edge against a potential playoffs rival.

 

I hate to write this prediction, but I'll go with a clear Blues win, 5 -2. Losing 4 in a row, losing key players from the line-up, then facing a majorly important challenge with a week's pause... "bad trouble", like Easy Pete from Fallout New Vegas would say.

That would make it 5 in a row iirc but a solid prediction.
 

[bbgarnett]

14 hours ago, lynxrattle said:

There's no question this is an important game.

 

1. We need the points from a rival.

2. We need the recognition gained from a huge event like this.

3. We need to end the skid.

4. We need to show the coaching team extension decision was the right one.

5. We need to gain an edge against a potential playoffs rival.

 

I hate to write this prediction, but I'll go with a clear Blues win, 5 -2. Losing 4 in a row, losing key players from the line-up, then facing a majorly important challenge with a week's pause... "bad trouble", like Easy Pete from Fallout New Vegas would say.

 

On another note were on a 3 game winning streak going for 4 in a row at the 2016 stadium series game so let's hope we don't do the opposite tonight .I will go 4-2 wild 

Edited January 1, 2022 by bbgarnett

[IllaZilla]

I find it ironic that Bettman told Leipold In 2011 the only way the Wild would get a Winter Classic would be to get some superstars on the roster. And yet here we are, with the Wild having no superstars on the roster but hosting The Winter Classic.

[bbgarnett]

This is just absolutely unreal.

 

 

[ClusterChuck]

I wonder if their visors will frost up at some point 
At least some frosty beards maybe.

[EmptyShelf]

Looks Damn Cold!!  Trying to get an update from my son; who is there.  -8 at start for a new record.  Makes everyone want to move to our Permafrost Tundra 

[EmptyShelf]

Nothing like a blazing orange space heater in the penalty box....OLD Time hockey 

[bbgarnett]

ugh

[bbgarnett]

Seriously I guess there just going keep turning the puck over.

[bbgarnett]

Kaprizovi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited January 2, 2022 by bbgarnett

[ClusterChuck]

Same type of rusty play as the last few games. Not surprised.
Get some of those chances ON goal !!

[EmptyShelf]

Glad that we tied it up - even if it was on a 'lucky' Kap goal.  I have always felt like these Outdoor Classics produce a great deal of 'fluky and greasy' goals.  It does not seem like quite as many 'fancy or pretty' goals.  Thus, Kap's just throwing the puck on the net is what we need to see frequently.  There are many more variables (distractions) outdoors versus indoors.  Must take advantage.

[ClusterChuck]

I'm sure the NHL wants Kap or Terasenko to light it up tonight.

[EmptyShelf]

Having a Country Concert in between periods sure was probably unexpected for those that are cold.  Hope they have a Boda Bag full 

[EmptyShelf]

4 minutes ago, ClusterChuck said:

I'm sure the NHL wants Kap or Terasenko to light it up tonight.

Whole lotta Ruskies in this game.  Great for worldwide interest.  We look like the fricken Green Bay Packers from behind in our (horrendous) uniforms..  Guess they didn't think that through very well with our playoff elimination game tomorrow with the Fudge.

[bbgarnett]

Just can't hit the net at all.

[EmptyShelf]

$hitty 5 holer....C'mon Talbott.  The Swedish kid will be in your review mirror next year if you don't clean that crap up ('Objects in the Mirror are Closer than they Appear').

[EmptyShelf]

I just don't understand how you have Gaudreau on PP2, or on the Fiala line.  Bring up Boldy or Rossi and move his a$$ down Dean.  He is CLEARLY just a 'filler' player that should NOT be given that kind of TOI.  It is really a pathetic decision given his play and performance.  SMDH

[EmptyShelf]

BTW:  Rossi has 3Gs and 1A in the last 2 games since the break....Seen enough yet, BG/DE?  Might 'spark' your team, so lose the stubbornness with the 'vets' that just exist on the ice.

[bbgarnett]

LOL were getting embarrassed 

[bbgarnett]

I guess no one was going to take Barbasol 

[wildstars95]

they will never get rid of talbot ... ...will they