An offensive explosion is a great way to open a season.
The Minnesota Wild started the 2014-15 saga with two solid victories against the division rival Colorado Avalanche. The opener left fans saying, "How can it get any better?" as the Wild routed the Avs 5-0, with five different goal scorers and a franchise record for shots on goal, too. It was more of the same two nights later in Denver, as the Wild skated to a 3-0 win.
Well, that 2-0 start has turned into a 2-2 record for the Wild after a well-played, but disappointing in the results department, California road trip. It was a pair of 2-1 losses to Anaheim and the defending Cup champs in Los Angeles that warranted zero points for the Wild. The results just didn't happen.
It's like in bowling league. If you start the season off too strongly, your average has nowhere to go but down. Yes, I just related bowling to hockey.
Heard this story before
While Minnesota played outstandingly well in the first game, it was also clear that Colorado did not have its A game. I think the road win was a bigger surprise, since most figured the Avs would be angry and not stand to get beat again, this time in their own building.
Despite out-shooting and out-chancing a couple of California's elite hockey clubs, the Wild couldn't find the back of the net. Against LA, Jonathan Quick proved once again that he is a freak of nature, somehow seeing and stopping pucks when there's a large crowd in front of his goal crease. He was a major part of why the Wild lost that game, since they more than doubled the amount of shots the Kings had.
Still, we've seen this saga play out before. So many chances, lots of puck control in the offensive zone, a plethora of shots. But not enough on the scoreboard to show for it. It's frustrating to watch all those chances get scooped up by goalies, sail wide of the net or get whiffed on.
Still too early to worry
Obviously, it's part of the game. You're not going to go 82-0, as many on Twitter joked. There will be off nights. It's still hard when the players seem to be doing everything right and aren't rewarded. And really, some of this could be seen as pretty nitpicky after four games into this long season.
Well, what else am I supposed to do with a team that's already had a ton of off days when other teams around the league have played seven or eight games? (Nice early scheduling, NHL.)
New to the Wild roster this year, Thomas Vanek is still looking for his first goal. He's had plenty of chances, too. I think fans really want to see him get that first tally. No doubt he wants the monkey off his back.
As for other players, I'm still liking the young players on this team. Erik Haula, Jason Zucker, Charlie Coyle, Mikael Granlund. It's great to have such a deep roster going down to the third and fourth lines.
Power play, we have a problem
The biggest glare so far is that the Wild's power play is 0-for-16. Talk about needing that first goal. If you can still win games scoring five-on-five, the power play numbers get a little less heat. No one cared the Wild didn't have a PP goal in the 5-0 blowout. But when your team managed only a goal a game the last two, the stat becomes a central focus.
The power play units have already been shaken up a little, and it's something that goes in streaks. Sometimes you're hot, and sometimes you're not. They've had some good looks with the man advantage. That first goal will come eventually.
On the flip side, the Wild's penalty kill is performing well, only giving up that one goal to LA so far. That's an important stat as well. Especially the way some of the officiating has gone against the Wild. Yes, I went there.
Kuemps is the real deal
Of course, I can't forget to give a virtual pat on the back to Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper for his outstanding performances in the first three games. He broke the franchise record for a shutout streak, which he took into the third game this season. I heard different numbers for the minutes, but he really played well.
The Wild gave veteran Niklas Backstrom some work in the game against LA, and I can't put him on the hook for the loss. The first goal was a bad bounce, and his teammates were out of position on the second one.
It'll be interesting to see what happens with the goaltending situation, barring possible injuries, of course. I'd like to see Kuemper get the nod as the No. 1. I've been leery of that in the past because he's a youngster, but he's really proven himself last season and so far this season to deserve that spot in between the pipes.
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