Minnesota Wild @ Nashville Predators, Sunday 4-24-22, 7:00pm, Bridgestone Arena

[MNSOTA]

https://thesportsdaily.com/2022/04/24/game-preview-minnesota-wild-vs-nashville-predators-4-24-22-700pm-cst-at-bridgestone-arena/

 

Minnesota Wild (50-21-7)  107pts  2nd in the Central

3.72 Goals For Per Game (5th in the NHL)

3.04 Goals Against Per Game (17th in the NHL)

20.6% Power Play (18th in the NHL)

75.7% Penalty Kill (24th in the NHL)

 

Top 5 Scorers:

1. #97 Kirill Kaprizov ~ 45G 56A = 101pts

2. #22 Kevin Fiala ~ 32G 50A = 82pts

3. #36 Mats Zuccarello ~ 24G 55A = 79pts

4. #38 Ryan Hartman ~ 33G 29A = 62pts

5. #14 Joel Eriksson Ek ~ 23G 21A = 44pts

 

Top 3 PIM's:

1. #44 Nic Deslauriers ~ 109 PIM's*

2. #21 Brandon Duhaime ~ 103 PIM's

3. #38 Ryan Hartman ~ 91 PIM's

 

Top Goaltenders:

1. #33 Cam Talbot (31-12-4)  2.78GAA  .911SV%  3SO

2. #29 Marc-Andre Fleury (25-22-5)  2.90GAA  .910SV%  4SO*

 

Vs.

 

Nashville Predators (44-29-5)  93pts  4th in the Central

3.15 Goals For Per Game (12th in the NHL)

2.96 Goals Against Per Game (14th in the NHL)

24.2% Power Play (7th in the NHL)

79.1% Penalty Kill (19th in the NHL)

 

Top 5 Scorers:

1. #59 Roman Josi ~ 21G 69A = 90pts

2. #95 Matt Duchene ~ 40G 39A = 79pts

3. #9 Filip Forsberg ~ 39G 38A = 77pts

4. #92 Ryan Johansen ~ 23G 36A = 59pts

5. #64 Mikael Granlund ~ 10G 45A = 55pts

 

Top 3 PIM's:

1. #90 Mark Borowiecki ~ 139 PIM's

2. #84 Tanner Jeannot ~ 123 PIM's

3. #11 Luke Kunin ~ 95 PIM's

 

Top Goaltenders:

1. #74 Juuse Saros (38-25-3)  2.63GAA  .918SV%  4SO

2. #33 David Rittich (5-3-2)  3.33GAA  .886SV%

*- Denotes stats acquired from multiple teams

[Wild Thing]

This game is going to be a tough one. The Preds would love the win to hold off the surge of Dallas. The Preds are also playing in their home building and the arena there is always rocking. 

 

The Wild needs to get out in front first and shut the crowd down. If that doesn't happen they could be in for a long night.  I am hoping for a Kevin Fiala 1st period goal to start things off on the right foot to quiet the crowd and some spectacular saves from Talbot to keep them seated. At the end of period 1 the Wild will lead 1-0. In period 2 the Wild will need to keep up the pressure and that will come in the form of two goals by Kap. More great play from Talbot keeps the Preds down. At the end of Period 2 Wild 3 Preds 1.  Period 3 not much goes on , but still a few more fantastic saves from Talbot especially at the end of the game to preserve the Win. 

 

3-2 Wild Win.

[wildstars95]

The Preds 10 -1 ,  last 11 games Dominate the wild ________ 5 - 4 Preds 

Edited April 24, 2022 by wildstars95

[ClusterChuck]

Going back to March 8th, 24 games ago, Our only 2 regulation losses have been to these Preds.
Both a 6-2 smackdown. 
Talbot is playing better than then so maybe we squeeze out a win. 4-3

Prediction made before knowing No Zucc. 

Edited April 24, 2022 by ClusterChuck

[bbgarnett]

4 hours ago, ClusterChuck said:

Going back to March 8th, 24 games ago, Our only 2 regulation losses have been to these Preds.
Both a 6-2 smackdown. 
Talbot is playing better than then so maybe we squeeze out a win. 4-3

Prediction made before knowing No Zucc. 

Also Fleury is starting tonight not Talbot so I'll got 5-4 Preds in OT

 

[ClusterChuck]

5 minutes ago, bbgarnett said:

Also Fleury is starting tonight not Talbot so I'll got 5-4 Preds in OT

 

I suppose Evason is evening up the workload and maybe with the rotation continuing after tonight, Talbot would be fresher for starting GM 1.

[bbgarnett]

Stay in the net Fleury 

[Wild Thing]

Still sticking with my 3-2 Wild win tonight with Fleury in goal. 

[Wild Thing]

PP coming up. 

[EmptyShelf]

MAF will play better tonight.  Needs more consistent starts before playoffs.  3-2 Wild.  Maybe OT

[ClusterChuck]

I think I'd rather have Jost on the Kap line than Bjugstad.

[EmptyShelf]

I do NOT want to saw Bjug on Kaps line for more than 2 shifts.  He does not have the hand/eye to play with him, and I don't want to see his 'give up' wrist shots right into the goalie's midsection.  

[EmptyShelf]

1 hour ago, ClusterChuck said:

I think I'd rather have Jost on the Kap line than Bjugstad.

Or DLO (J/K).  Not BJUG; will drag both Kap and Hart down

[ClusterChuck]

0 SOG on that PP...But what seemed to be 1K passes. 

[EmptyShelf]

1 hour ago, EmptyShelf said:

Or DLO (J/K).  Not BJUG; will drag both Kap and Hart down

On the other hand, the ultimate test for how capable Kap is - if he can make a 'reasonable' scoring threat out Bjug this game.  Yet, this is something you try early in the year versus late.  Much rather try Jost too.

 

BTW:  Rossi has hit the dreaded AHL wall - after being ignored for a call-up since the Holidays, he is now down in the doldrums, flat-lining, and gaining NOTHING from the AHL.  Smells like Boldy last year

 

Poor planning on his behalf by BG this year....Rossi should have been ready for the playoffs

[EmptyShelf]

Why is Craparossa up - to fight?  That is the only reason to bring him up.  WTF is BG doing with IA call-ups?  Bush League head games.

[Wild Thing]

PP upcoming. Let's get one. 

[bbgarnett]

and Fiala back to turning the puck over 

[bbgarnett]

Bjugstad!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited April 25, 2022 by bbgarnett

[ClusterChuck]

Brodin net side 

[Wild Thing]

Brodin PP GOAL!!!!!!!!!

[ClusterChuck]

Why not have EK with Kap-Hartman?
His line is AWOL anyhow.

[Tomdog]

Just now, bbgarnett said:

and Fiala back to turning the puck over 

Fiala back to stupid turnovers would imply he stopped. 

This is who he is, he'll never stop.

 

[bbgarnett]

Thanks Boro 

[Wild Thing]

Goal probably by Nick Bjugstad