Morning Skate: Boxing Day with the Wild

by J.J. from Kansas on Dec 26, 2010 10:58 AM CST in Game Preview

The Red Wings are in Minnesota today to take on the Wild. Minnesota is coming off a 3-1 win over Colorado on the same night that Detroit fell 4-3 to St. Louis. While they've been better than Detroit in the last 10 games category (12 points to 9), the Wild still sit only two spots above the bottom of the Western Conference and ten points behind the Conference-leading Red Wings.

Game 2 of the Pavel Datsyuk broken hand era plays tonight with the Wings needing to start this game much better than they started in St. Louis, where they allowed their opposition to jump to a 4-1 lead before starting a comeback that ultimately fell short. A good goaltending performance would go a long way as well. Hell, while we're at it, let's also ask for a full 60 minute effort and for Red Wings' legs to keep moving. The last one may be especially important. Minnesota gives up almost the same number of goals per game but scores nearly one fewer than Detroit. Their 5-on-5 scoring for/against is 0.85, meaning they allow more even-strength goals than they score. But, don't mistake them for a completely offensively inept team. The Wild had a power play that scores 23.5% of the time, 5th best in the league.

Detroit should win this one - They're professionals who may occasionally find it hard to get fully motivated to play every single regular season game like it's important enough, but I'd like to see that they know it's important enough to the fans that they not play like crap tonight.

Score Prediction: 4-1 Detroit

Player of the Game Prediction: Johan Franzen

Hockey Wilderness is your SB Nation blog for the Wild.

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Wings bounce back today

3-1 …Jimmy player of the game…Go Wings

LETS GO RED WINGS!

2011 will be the year....better be....

Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."

by TuLoRocks2008 on Dec 26, 2010 11:01 AM CST reply actions

3-1 Wings, Franzen POG

I think they finally have a rebound game. Franzen looked like he was getting out of his slump against St Louis…hopefully it continues.

by HockeyGuy9125 on Dec 26, 2010 11:02 AM CST reply actions

My prediction is that I will fall asleep within the first 10 minutes of the game. Not many games involving the Wild are actually worth watching.

by dewman8810 on Dec 26, 2010 11:04 AM CST reply actions

5-2 Wings

Cleary player of the game. Break the trap, and the slump

Blatant Twitter Promotion, rarely updated, occasionally funny

by rock n rye on Dec 26, 2010 11:34 AM CST reply actions

4-0, Franzen

Hmm, maybe Jimmy if it’s gunna be a shutout, but I don’t think he’ll be tested much. Franzen in a 2-goal effort.

by kylegroombridge on Dec 26, 2010 11:47 AM CST reply actions

5-3 Wings, Buckets

Just got a feeling that we’re gonna be giving up some goals. Come on Wings, get back on top.

by Dubie on Dec 26, 2010 12:23 PM CST reply actions

3-1 Wild, Abdelkader

until the Red Wings show that they can put in a 60-minute effort, i’m picking against them, especially since the Wild does not seem like a team they’re mentally engaged to play against. Howard will probably have to steal this game.

all pessimism is dropped when the puck drops. GO RED WINGS!

by uvgt2bkdnme on Dec 26, 2010 12:40 PM CST reply actions

3-1, Detroit, Patrick Eaves

Grind Line 2.0 has the legs, the spirit and with Datsyuk out they’ll pick up their game. Though I’m predicting Helm will score a shorthanded goal off assists by Eaves and Lidstrom. Eaves will chip in an even strength goal to go along with the assist. Howard will dig deep.

by Idle Drifter on Dec 26, 2010 2:11 PM CST reply actions