Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, the Minnesota Wild is having trouble scoring goals.
After five straight wins earlier this month, the Wild has turned around and started down a road that’s included five losses in six games (three in shootouts). The offense has sputtered of late, tallying two goals or less in four of the last five games.
Michael Russo says the 4-1 loss to Boston on Monday night was a perfect example of what the Wild isn’t. Boston rolls out four lines every night and all four can contribute offensively.
Since Mikko Koivu’s return from a broken ankle and the acquisition of Matt Moulson in a trade with the Sabres, the Wild’s offense has dropped from 25th in the league to 28th. The Zach Parise-Mikeal Granlund-Jason Pominville line continues to produce, with 14 goals and 37 points in the last 13 games, but the rest of the team has combined for only 17 goals in that span.
The Pioneer Press wonders if head coach Mike Yeo has to make a tough decision and break up the Parise-Granlund-Pominville line to give the struggling second, third and fourth lines more balance.
“That’s the tricky part because they’ve been going so well,” Yeo said following last night’s loss. “These are the things we have to discuss and figure out.”
Minnesota is back in action tonight against the Islanders in New York. We’ll find out if Yeo makes any changes very soon.
By the way, the Wild’s only goal against the Bruins came on a pretty wild broken stick slap shot by Pominville. Here’s the video from Pro Hockey Talk.
