2022 MN WILD/NHL THREAD

I simply said now that he’s been put back on the “3rd” or “Grinder” line, he’s been playing well again and that line has been dominant again…He looked completely out of place the first X amount of games he was playing top 6 Center… Yes he had the hattrick against the Jets, but that and a single assist were his only points in October…I think if Ek can hit 20 goals a year that’s a HUGE bonus for this team, but I think that will be his peak…as the Wild starts developing their center crop of prospects, the days of Ek getting PP1 time will be over…The early season hype that we now might have a 1C signed for 8 years at only $5.25 aav is what I was always pumping the breaks on… Ek is who he’s always been, a great defensive 3rd line/shutdown center…

I’m excited to see Ek go up against either McDavid or Draisitl tonight..

JoeMX1825 wrote:

as the Wild starts developing their center crop of prospects, the days of Ek getting PP1 time will be over

Honestly he might be done there very soon when Fiala finally breaks his curse and if Hartman continues playing like he is now. They just need one center to win draws, and Fiala needs to be on PP1 when he’s hot.

My only point is no one can say JEEK is a good player without you going off that he’s a good 3rd liner at best. That’s great you feel that way but I really don’t care what he’s labelled… he rocks.

Rask should center Fiala and Pitlick, and Freddy Hockey should move the 4th line when he returns. That line needs a shakeup. Thoughts?

JEEK is on the #1 PP unit because once again we only have 1 reliable face-off guy.
And let’s be honest he isn’t that great at that.

Ok here is my Ek love. Not sure how any can argue that Ek line is not the second line all day. Have been this year and all of last year. Every stat proves that. Points TOI. Situational play.
In every definition they are the wilds second line. If you think Fiala’s line is our number 2 line you have not been paying attention for some time.
That line has one and you could argue if they even have 1 at this point legit top six guy.

Ek is playing like one of the best 2C in the west. Outside of the man in Edmonton who I could argue is better than McDavid. Yeah I said it. Not many better overall 2C than Ek in the west.

He will blow by 20 goals this season just like he would have last season.
Remember they don’t ask how they ask how many.

Seeing that Zegras assist clip from behind the net on twitter, I first thought he lifted the puck over the net and purposely hit the goalie in the back of the mask/roll down his back to bank it in and score… I’ve seen that done before…

Of course he scores…

JoeMX1825 wrote:

Of course he scores…

I was catching up/reading all the ek talk in the last couple pages right when he jammed that one in. If he stays healthy and continues to play with foligno and greenway, he will pass 20 goals. Just keep on hacking away ek! Seems to be working!!!

Now two points…
Oh and leading the rush to boot.

I <3 JEEK

Fiala!! Cmon!! Every. Single. Game.

Oof watch the Trouba hit on that poor soul from Chicago.

tswoboda wrote:

I <3 JEEK

Did everyone catch that pregame graphic where they ranked the best players in the league??

Anybody else think Nurses head looks like it should be on someone that is 5’5”

Ripjiggen wrote:

Anybody else think Nurses head looks like it should be on someone that is 5’5”

and Puljujarvi’s should be on a 9’ giant?!?

Holy crap, what a play by Brodin.

Skating much better in this period.

Edmonton looks gigantic. Especially when our first line is out.

Play will probably go unnoticed but McDavid just came down full head of steam and tried to take Brodin wide and he turned and went step for step and kept him to the outside. He has been unreal tonight.

They just go to a different level in the third period. Perfect redirect from Pitlick to spring Kulikoff of all people. He’s been way more than I expected for a FA bottom pair d man.

Ripjiggen wrote:

Play will probably go unnoticed but McDavid just came down full head of steam and tried to take Brodin wide and he turned and went step for step and kept him to the outside. He has been unreal tonight.

I know the one you’re talking about.

Ripjiggen wrote:

Play will probably go unnoticed but McDavid just came down full head of steam and tried to take Brodin wide and he turned and went step for step and kept him to the outside. He has been unreal tonight.

That play was very good. Was thinking the same thing. Then he came down later and created a goal. We played well tonight overall, but a bunch of credit goes to Talbot too – 37 saves and counting.

I think I’m done with pregame commentary. I make a solid prediction and it blows up in my face.

Oilers 0-5 on the PP. Wild up 4-1. The one oilers goal could arguably be wiped away due to goaltender interference. Should be 4-0.

How many times has Kap missed the net?

biggill wrote:

How many times has Kap missed the net?

A lot. But at least he was shooting lasers tonight again so that is good to see.

Want to see a shot chart. Talbot had some clear lanes and controlled almost every shot. Both direction and rebound wise.
Kulikov has been huge for this team. The fact he can play his off hand is big. He was really chirping after his goal. You can hear it in the Canadian broadcast of the goal. Was pretty funny.
Goligoski lowest minutes of all D tonight. 😳
Trade Spurg?

Ripjiggen wrote:

Play will probably go unnoticed but McDavid just came down full head of steam and tried to take Brodin wide and he turned and went step for step and kept him to the outside. He has been unreal tonight.

not unnoticed… great play on a neutral zone windup by McJesus we’ve seen turned into a highlight reel goal several times this season…

How good does his longterm deal look for GMBG!

biggill wrote:

How many times has Kap missed the net?

I think its a little worrisome only because its been going all all season except for the Panthers game breakaway…. He definitely needs to dial-in his scope…

That touch-pass assist to Kulikov was a thing of beauty though! No problems with his passing accuracy thats for sure!

19 in his last 10. 8-1-1 Not to worrisome. Probably not even a little

Who’s the odd man out at D next game. Benn has been pretty good.

The Moose hitting the ice bag and Dumba commercial made me chuckle once.

biggill wrote:

I think I’m done with pregame commentary. I make a solid prediction and it blows up in my face.

Nah we gotta keep it coming after that performance…. clearly we jinxed them. 5-5 against that PP is very impressive. Cam was a big part of it too!

Kulikov seems like a real character, as does Merril. Nice game by those two, especially on the kill. I’m ready for Benn to head back to the press box, sounds like Spurgeon is back on Thursday!

Kulikov after his goal… check out his stick. Confirmed character.