Alex Bader
The Minnesota Wild fell to the San Jose Sharks by a score of 4-1. The Wild were outplayed and outshined in what was a rare, yet average display on home ice. Minnesota fell to 10-5 on the season with the loss.
The Minnesota Wild failed to show up in the first period and found themselves trailing in another game.
This time, the Wild were unable to mount the comeback. They had no offensive chemistry. Their poor defense and poor power-play led to their demise and fifth loss of the season.
BADER'S TAKE
Another average display from the Wild.
Minnesota had poor defending tonight while the Sharks had a stellar defense.
The Wild had too many turnovers and looked completely discombobulated in the offensive zone.
San Jose was better and they deserved the win tonight.
Minnesota had another slow first period just like they did in Vegas. It cost them tonight just like it did against Vegas.
They have shown the ability to come back, so far, and they are a team that will not quit. However, it is incredibly hard to come back from three goals in the third period in the NHL.
You cannot continuously fall behind in games and expect to win.
The Wild have to start finding a way to get the lead in games. Especially when at home, it is a huge key to get the early lead to get the fans into the game.
The power-play continued to struggle, they are only 18 percent successful on the season. It is a little mind-boggling to see such a low number when they have the likes of Kaprizov, Fiala, Ek, and Dumba who all can rip the shot.
Kaprizov had another average game for his standards. He has been below par so far this season and one hopes that he will soon get the scoring taste.
Fiala, who had an assist tonight, also needs to get on the scoreboard. He needs to put the puck in the back of the net.
The Wild will need Kaprizov and Fiala to start lighting the lamp if they wish to be contenders and not pretenders.
The Wild need to figure out a way how to get the lead in games and stop chasing if they wish to be a playoff team.
Game Recap:
The first period was even throughout, however, it was the Sharks who struck first.
Greenway was a man on a mission, he started fast and physical.
Right after Greenway and Middleton dropped the gloves, Ferraro scored for the Sharks to give them the lead six minutes into the first period, 1-0.
The Wild responded with a couple of good chances of their own, but couldn't finalize.
With 42 seconds left in the period, Timo Meier scored after a shot was deflected right to him, 2-0 Sharks.
Pitlick - the hat-trick-hero last game - got hit by Cogliano and didn't like it, with 17.8 seconds left he went at Cogliano and was lucky to only get a two-minute penalty.
Minnesota went into the second period down by two and had to start on the penalty kill.
The Wild killed the penalty and gained momentum.
Eriksson Ek had a great shorthanded chance but was denied by Reimer.
Shortly after that, Ek made a fancy move around the defender and sniped home the wrist shot. With just over five minutes into the second period, the Wild trailed by one, 2-1 Sharks. Fiala had the primary assist with Brodin picking up the other assist.
Dumba absolutely crushed Barabanov. He drew a reaction from Hertl, who got called for roughing.
Wild went to the power-play with a chance to tie the game.
The Wild had a couple of chances, but Ek got called for a penalty which ended the Wild power-play early.
Karlsson scored almost immediately into the 4-on-4, and just like that the energy in the crowd was extinguished.
Foligno knew the Wild needed a flame to be lit, he dropped the gloves with Gadjovich for what was a long fight with several punches thrown.
Minnesota hounded San Jose but they were unable to draw even. They went into the third period down by two after briefly cutting the deficit in half in the second period.
The Wild had all of the momentum at the end of the second period and another huge third period was needed if they were to make a comeback.
Goligoski took a penalty and the Wild went on the penalty kill 32 seconds into the third period.
The Wild killed the penalty.
With 12 minutes left in the game, the Sharks had the lead over the Wild, 3-1.
The mountain only got higher for Minnesota.
The Wild left Hertl wide open in the slot and he fired the puck into the empty net to push the Sharks' lead to 4-1.
With 3:30 left in the third period, the Wild were down by three and pulled their goalie in hopes of a miracle.
No miracle happened.
Minnesota will look to rebound on Thursday against the Dallas Stars and former Wild player, Ryan Suter.
Suter told a reporter in Dallas that he does not want a video tribute, one can only speculate if he was joking or not.
What's Next:
Minnesota ( 10-5 20 pts. ) vs. Dallas ( 6-6-2 14 pts. )
At Excel Energy Center Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 puck drop at 7 p. m.
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