The Minnesota Wild are struggling to regain their footing after shedding 5 of their previous six video games forward of their go to on Sunday to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Wild coach John Hynes challenged the crew after Saturday’s 5-4 house loss to the Calgary Flames.
“Now we’re selecting to lose,” Hynes mentioned. “That is exhausting. Shedding’s not straightforward. Successful’s not straightforward. We have got to get again to the dedication stage that it takes to win.
“The mentality, the fireplace, the competitiveness, the depth within the lineup. Proper now, it is not sufficient. It is not sufficient.”
Marco Rossi assisted on every of Minnesota’s three objectives within the third interval. That gave him 43 factors this season, surpassing the 40 he collected in 2023-24.
Nonetheless, acquainted struggles helped the Flames seize early management. The Wild yielded two power-play objectives and have allowed seven whereas shorthanded up to now six video games.
Minnesota had a season-best 11 takeaways in opposition to the Flames.
Chicago began a four-game homestand on an encouraging observe, defeating the West-contending Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 on Jan. 18.
The Blackhawks adopted that effort with successive 4-3 extra time losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, two golf equipment within the playoff hunt within the East.
Chicago claimed a 3-1 lead on the Lightning early within the second interval on Friday however could not maintain momentum — or the benefit. Tampa Bay outshot Chicago 40-14 for the sport, together with 18-1 within the third interval and extra time.
“That is the a part of the season we’re battling: the ‘may’ves, ought to’ves,’ as a substitute of simply getting it finished,” Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno mentioned.
In the course of the sport, Chicago dealt ahead Taylor Corridor to Carolina as a part of a three-team commerce. The transfer prompted loads of reflection among the many Blackhawks within the dressing room.
“We now have nobody else accountable however ourselves, actually, in placing ourselves within the state of affairs the place they’ve to start out fascinated about the long run and promoting off,” Foligno mentioned. “It is not a enjoyable feeling for anyone in right here.”
Chicago will hope to proceed growing its youth in the course of the stretch run of one other irritating season. The Blackhawks’ 35 factors are the second fewest within the NHL.
Connor Bedard, the reigning NHL Rookie of the 12 months, earned an help Friday and has no less than one level in 13 of his previous 15 video games. He leads the crew in assists (29) and factors (42).
Rookie Colton Dach opened the scoring for the Blackhawks together with his first profession objective, and fellow children Louis Crevier and Frank Nazar every had a objective and help.
Minnesota has received two of the three earlier conferences this season between the golf equipment, with every sport determined by one objective.
The Wild are coming off a 4-3 house win in opposition to the Blackhawks on Dec. 23. Ten totally different Minnesota gamers had factors within the sport, with Yakov Trenin contributing two assists.
Chicago’s Teuvo Teravainen has 13 factors in his previous 12 video games in opposition to Minnesota, though he has been held with no level in every contest this season.
–Discipline Degree Media