Forty-one shots on goal including 13 scoring chances in high-danger areas and the Wild still only mustered one goal in a 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.
“It’s hard to believe the open nets and the chances we’re getting and we’re not scoring,” said Wild coach Bruce Boudreau after the game. “I think you talk to the players, who are probably just as frustrated as I am. Those are plays we’ve gotta bury … we’ve gotta bury those things.”
Minnesota has scored two or fewer goals in five of its last seven games and just two goals total during a current three-game losing streak.
For the season, Minnesota ranks 14th in the NHL with an average of 3.00 goals per game, and since their losing stretch began after Black Friday (Nov. 23) they’ve scored nearly a full goal less per game and have racked up just six points in the standings, good for worst in the NHL over that stretch.
Through Black Friday
- Record: 14-7-2
- Goals: 75 (3.26 per game)
- Goals allowed: 62 (2.69 per game)
Since Black Friday
- Record: 3-8-0
- Goals: 27 (2.45 per game)
- Goals allowed: 34 (3.09 per game)
Boudreau said it’s a “frustrating thing we’re going through right now,” but he hopes the Wild can respond with a home victory against the Dallas Stars on Saturday and then enjoy the holiday break and come back fresh for the second half of the season beginning Dec. 27.
