Postgame: Born to be wild

After playing in an afternoon affair last night against the Blue Jackets, the Red Wings had to try and find their feet against the Minnesota Wild. Another day time game could spell doom for the team and it ended up going just about how it was planned.

How can you expect a team to play twice in less than 24 hours time. Heavy legs and a heavy heart is a damn tough mix.

It was a back and forth sloppy affair for most of it and the Wings had a tough time keeping the Wild in front of them.  The big moment of the game and what may have turned the tide against the Wings was a high sticking call on Gustav Nyquist. It couldn’t have been more blatant and on the power play, the Wild made them pay.

Luckily for Nyquist and Jared Spurgeon, the play who suffered the dangerous high stick were able to walk away mostly unharmed. Spurgeon ended up with four stitches in his face and if the stick was further up his face, he could’ve left with a terrible eye injury.

By the time the Wild power play was over, the Wings were already down 2-0. Anthony Mantha was able to score then Charlie Coyle made Jared Coreau and Nick Jensen look like fools.

 

What an absolutely amazing goal from him. No wonder Coyle is having a break out year with plays like that.

Zetterberg was able to score and after that it was a bit of a back and forth game. Parise scored two goals in the third frame. Andreas Athanasiou scored a goal as well.

It became increasingly obvious as the game closed out that Coreau didn’t have his best stuff tonight. Worst of it being a Christian Folin goal to make it 5-3 that should’ve been stopped by any NHL goalie.

Fatigue is definitely an excuse but the flat effort from the team has become too familiar.

A lot of the third period was due to score effects but even then the Wild were able to score on their few attempts they had. The Wings had 59.5% of the even strength CF and it still wasn’t able to put a dent into the team. If they maybe would’ve had better goaltending, the game could’ve looked different.

Henrik Zetterberg is going to get the nod here for his goal and his 77% CF at even strength. Most nights that would also be good for a first star nod. Not tonight but hopefully this is a sign of things to come for the aging Swede.

The Wings play the St. Louis Blues at home on February 15th on what will surely be an emotional night.