Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel will face off on a hot topic in Minnesota sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week in Minnesota. Lambert and Thiel will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why they are right.
This week’s topic: How long will the Wild last in the playoffs?
Last week, the NHL playoffs began with the Minnesota Wild facing off against the Dallas Stars, a team that currently holds a 2-1 advantage. This week, Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel voice their opinions about how far the Wild will go in the postseason. Let’s talk about it… (Recap by Sam Thiel)
Matthew Lambert / Winonan
It does not take great hockey wisdom, which I have none of, to know the Minnesota Wild are screwed.
They lost their last five regular season games and seven games overall since going down 2-1 to the top seeded Dallas Stars, in some weird, twisted devil magic that allowed the Wild to basically play the team they used to be.
I like to think of the stars like I think about teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Timberwolves. The Timberwolves and the Wild are the bridesmaid, while the Lakers and Stars are always the bride.
But enough bad analogies about the failing state of Minnesota sports across generations, let’s talk about the injuries the Wild have to deal with.
Thomas Vanek and Zach Parise are prime examples of this lineup, well, they should be based on their salaries total $15 million. Those injuries are hindering an offense that is 18th in the league.
Parise was second on the team in total offense, and, ironically, Parise and Vanek led the team in game winning goals with seven and five, respectively.
Did I mention the Stars are the No. 1 scoring offense in the league? They are.
I just do not see how it is possible for the Wild to bounce back. Even I, someone who has only seen two high school hockey games, can see they’re doomed.
Sam Thiel / Winonan
There are many ways people stay cool when it is hot outside. Some go to the pool, while others constantly drink ice-cold beverages. In the case of many Minnesota sports fans – 18,568 of them to be exact – they are staying cool by packing the Xcel Energy Center to cheer on the Wild.
This past season the Wild went 38-33-11 in the regular season and earned the No. 8 seed in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Being No. 8 has its consequences. The Wild drew the card of the top-seed Dallas Stars, with Minnesota currently down 2-1. The Stars have won seven of their last eight games and have averaged three goals per game while the Wild have not scored more than two goals in their last seven games and have lost those seven.
But it is hard to score more than two goals a game when the three best players and goal-scorers of your roster being hurt. Left-winger Thomas Vanek has been dealing with a lower body injury, center Erik Haula missed game one and left wing Zach Parise has been suffering from a herniated disc in his back. Give Parise a little slack, however, as he has been battling through this pain since JANUARY.
The Wild had things going for them but unfortunately it was in the wrong direction. They will win either game three or four but will fall in five games as the fans will shed their winter jackets for baseball gear and head to Target Field for the Twins.
