Average hockey fans -- those with slower minds -- always blame the goaltender. Smarter, quicker hockey fans know the difference.

Which one are you?

Great article...
- glgbill

(frank)ing goalies suck! Every loss is on the goalie. Every win is on the players. DERP!

Both hits probably should have been either double minors or 5 min majors IMO. Also IMO, I don' think either play deseved a match penalty. That being said I do think Shattenkirks hit was more intentional than was Scandellas. Either way, both plays that should be penalized.

If penalties were being handed out based on cheap or questionable hits, St. Louis definitely got what they deserved.

As far as Carter faking? Yeah, I know how easy it is to make assumptions because of the way a play might look, but I'm guessing going face first into the boards at any speed might just actually shake a guy up at least for a little bit. But what do I know.

So I guess the question should also then be extended to Oshie... He went down, and proceded to leave the ice as if he were actually injured, but somehow incredibly he was also able to return. So then I guess he could have actually been faking or embellishing also.... Hmmmm?

.

Both hits probably should have been either double minors or 5 min majors IMO. Also IMO, I don' think either play deseved a match penalty. That being said I do think Shattenkirks hit was more intentional than was Scandellas. Either way, both plays that should be penalized.

If penalties were being handed out based on cheap or questionable hits, St. Louis definitely got what they deserved.

As far as Carter faking? Yeah, I know how easy it is to make assumptions because of the way a play might look, but I'm guessing going face first into the boards at any speed might just actually shake a guy up at least for a little bit. But what do I know.

So I guess the question should also then be extended to Oshie... He went down, and proceded to leave the ice as if he were actually injured, but somehow incredibly he was also able to return. So then I guess he could have actually been faking or embellishing also.... Hmmmm?

.
- MnGump

Might want to watch a replay. Oshie didn't go down beyond having one knee on the ice for a half second . Oshie didn't stay on the ice writhing as if in pain until the player who hit him got ejected then suddenly hop up feeling fine. Oshie did go through the protocol to check for a concussion, while Carter didn't. That's why it'seems logical to question if Carter was just playing things up for a call, but not if Oshie was.

Granlund better get going if he is looking to cash in on a mega deal. Wild winning that stand off right now. Same with Haula.
- Tony Dean

What's Granlund get? 4 mill per? I mean Coyle got 3.2 and Granlund is better

Might want to watch a replay. Oshie didn't go down beyond having one knee on the ice for a half second . Oshie didn't stay on the ice writhing as if in pain until the player who hit him got ejected then suddenly hop up feeling fine. Oshie did go through the protocol to check for a concussion, while Carter didn't. That's why it'seems logical to question if Carter was just playing things up for a call, but not if Oshie was.
- Antilles

Fair enough, but nothing to me seems logical about questioning the authenticity of a guy laying on the ice after crashing face first into the boards. I believe it IS possible to get your bell rung on a play and after a minute or so feel fine... and were you there when Oshie went back to the locker room? As obvious as it may seem, were you there to see Oshie go through the "concussion" protocol? Guessing not, so then I guess you really don't know do you. Maybe he was advised to go back immediately to help sway the Ref to impose a little stiffer penalty? The point is, you don't know, and I know how much you like to speak intelligently about things in the know when you are really just making assumptions like everyone else.

Yeo was accused of doing the same thing with Haula a couple weeks ago when he took a shot to the head. It was alleged that he made him go back to the locker room right away to make it look like a more serious injury. Haula was back out that same period about 10 minutes later after allegedly going through "consussion" protocol tests.

Either way, Oshie took a glancing shoulder to the chin, Carter smashed his face straight into the boards, two completely different plays either of which could have involved actual injury reprocussions or embellishment of some kind. But as usual I'm sure you know better...

It's discouraging to see a team play so passively with the lead, time and time again. And to make matters worse, nearly the entire OT period was spent in the Wild's zone.
Line combos continue to make little sense, too many players standing around/being beaten by opposing players to the puck, and far too many long passes that are intercepted 75% of the time.
Would love to see how different this team would play under a real coach.
- SotaPopinski

Here's what I find interesting. You watched this team play the first few weeks of the season and they looked like a team that has been playing together for years... last few weeks they look like a team that has little chemistry and as if they were just thrown onto a team and told to go out and play.

What's interesting to me is a lot of Vaneks bad passes and turnovers come on what should actually be very nifty plays... It's obvious that he see's the ice differently with a far more advanced ability to read what's happening. Most of these plays end up in turnovers because his line mates aren't seeing what he's seeing and either miss the puck or arent' ready for it. So I don't think for a second he just throws the puck around like most of these guys do, just to get out of trouble, he see's a play and unfortunately his linemates don't have the ability to see it with him for the most part.

What's interesting to me is a lot of Vaneks bad passes and turnovers come on what should actually be very nifty plays... It's obvious that he see's the ice differently with a far more advanced ability to read what's happening. Most of these plays end up in turnovers because his line mates aren't seeing what he's seeing and either miss the puck or arent' ready for it. So I don't think for a second he just throws the puck around like most of these guys do, just to get out of trouble, he see's a play and unfortunately his linemates don't have the ability to see it with him for the most part.
- MnGump

I agree for the most part and it's the very reason he should be playing with Pominville. They both know each other's tendencies better than the rest of the Wild forwards.

I'm not sure if Granlund is going to be the ideal center for him but at the very least I think Pominville and Vanek should be together for an extended stretch. They could both use each other to get going.

I agree for the most part and it's the very reason he should be playing with Pominville. They both know each other's tendencies better than the rest of the Wild forwards.

I'm not sure if Granlund is going to be the ideal center for him but at the very least I think Pominville and Vanek should be together for an extended stretch. They could both use each other to get going.
- Chinaski

Agreed. I don't think Koivu would be a bad center for those two. As highly skilled at playmaking Granlund is, I think Koivus hockey IQ might be a little higher and he might just fit in between them a little bit better. Although I do have to say I like Koivu and Zucker together so far. Just wish Coyle could turn it up. He puts in the effort, but I would really like to see more out of him than just board tie ups and keeping the puck in the offensive zone.

Either way, the teams biggest issue right now seems to be right down the center. IF this team had a true #1 center, this team could probably be atop the division right now.

Fair enough, but nothing to me seems logical about questioning the authenticity of a guy laying on the ice after crashing face first into the boards. I believe it IS possible to get your bell rung on a play and after a minute or so feel fine... and were you there when Oshie went back to the locker room? As obvious as it may seem, were you there to see Oshie go through the "concussion" protocol? Guessing not, so then I guess you really don't know do you. Maybe he was advised to go back immediately to help sway the Ref to impose a little stiffer penalty? The point is, you don't know, and I know how much you like to speak intelligently about things in the know when you are really just making assumptions like everyone else.

Yeo was accused of doing the same thing with Haula a couple weeks ago when he took a shot to the head. It was alleged that he made him go back to the locker room right away to make it look like a more serious injury. Haula was back out that same period about 10 minutes later after allegedly going through "consussion" protocol tests.

Either way, Oshie took a glancing shoulder to the chin, Carter smashed his face straight into the boards, two completely different plays either of which could have involved actual injury reprocussions or embellishment of some kind. But as usual I'm sure you know better...
- MnGump

It was announced on Blues broadcast Oshie went through concussion protocol and cleared.

Maybe you should spend less time making ad hominen attacks, claiming I don't know what I'm talking about, and more time actually learning what information is out there. Or at least watching a replay before making up a claim a player went down when he oviciously didn't. You seem to get mad anytime people point out you're factually wrong about something. But it's not someone else's fault when you make a statement with incorrect information.

It was announced on Blues broadcast Oshie went through concussion protocol and cleared.

Maybe you should spend less time making ad hominen attacks, claiming I don't know what I'm talking about, and more time actually learning what information is out there. Or at least watching a replay before making up a claim a player went down when he oviciously didn't. You seem to get mad anytime people point out you're factually wrong about something. But it's not someone else's fault when you make a statement with incorrect information.
- Antilles

Ahhh yes! It was announced! Oh well that seals it right there!!! It's gotta be "fact" if the Blues broadcast team "announced" it. Get a grip buddy. You wouldn't know a fact if it jumped up and bit you in the ass. If you had reading comprehension above the 3rd grade level and a lucid thought in your otherwise ego inflated noggin, you would have realized that I prefaced my original post as "opinion" where you decided to swoop in with all the so called "facts" (or speculation as most would call it) of the case. So you go ahead and continue to twist the "facts" around to suit your argument, (because dropping to a knee and leaving the ice immediately couldn't possibly be construed as embellishing) and I'll continue to offer up opinion which most times is more logical and rational than your so called facts.

Sometimes I don't think you realize what a bafoon you really are. Thanks once again for playing though! Always entertaining...

Ahhh yes! It was announced! Oh well that seals it right there!!! It's gotta be "fact" if the Blues broadcast team "announced" it. Get a grip buddy. You wouldn't know a fact if it jumped up and bit you in the ass. If you had reading comprehension above the 3rd grade level and a lucid thought in your otherwise ego inflated noggin, you would have realized that I prefaced my original post as "opinion" where you decided to swoop in with all the so called "facts" (or speculation as most would call it) of the case. So you go ahead and continue to twist the "facts" around to suit your argument, (because dropping to a knee and leaving the ice immediately couldn't possibly be construed as embellishing) and I'll continue to offer up opinion which most times is more logical and rational than your so called facts.

Sometimes I don't think you realize what a bafoon you really are. Thanks once again for playing though! Always entertaining...
- MnGump

Fair enough, but nothing to me seems logical about questioning the authenticity of a guy laying on the ice after crashing face first into the boards. I believe it IS possible to get your bell rung on a play and after a minute or so feel fine... and were you there when Oshie went back to the locker room? As obvious as it may seem, were you there to see Oshie go through the "concussion" protocol? Guessing not, so then I guess you really don't know do you. Maybe he was advised to go back immediately to help sway the Ref to impose a little stiffer penalty? The point is, you don't know, and I know how much you like to speak intelligently about things in the know when you are really just making assumptions like everyone else.

Yeo was accused of doing the same thing with Haula a couple weeks ago when he took a shot to the head. It was alleged that he made him go back to the locker room right away to make it look like a more serious injury. Haula was back out that same period about 10 minutes later after allegedly going through "consussion" protocol tests.

Either way, Oshie took a glancing shoulder to the chin, Carter smashed his face straight into the boards, two completely different plays either of which could have involved actual injury reprocussions or embellishment of some kind. But as usual I'm sure you know better...
- MnGump

Carter ate the boards no doubt though I have to admit that part of me wondered if it was a dive gone wrong. I see shatty is behind me and i feel a hit so i start to dive but then the dive goes wrong because the force of the hit is different than what i was expecting, etc. I saw a guy break his ankle on a play like that, he went down trying to draw a penalty and slid foot first into the boards. Really cosmic kharma there. I'm not saying Carter did, just that I wondered since it looked like he launched himself into the wall at a greater speed than the hit would have suggested.

But I'm with you in that both should have gotten the same result.

Gump, one of the reverse camera angles I saw today showed much more than just a glancing blow to the chin. Given Oshie just returned from a concussion, it's not a long put that they forced him into the protocol. Not saying I know for sure but that's a suckers bet.

Gump, one of the reverse camera angles I saw today showed much more than just a glancing blow to the chin. Given Oshie just returned from a concussion, it's not a long put that they forced him into the protocol. Not saying I know for sure but that's a suckers bet.
- stljam

While I certainly agree the contact was to Oshie's head and that hit by Scandella looks very bad on replay I would definitely argue against it being DIRTY. I am very interested to see how the NHL player safety department responds.

I think Oshie needs to play with his head up more to be honest. Not blaming the guy for that hit or his concussion issue in general but he needs to pay attention and protect himself.

Also I would say that Shattenkirk cross check was so unnecessary which only made the result worse. Doubt though that any supplemental discipline will result from that one either.

Blues have to be careful not to stir the pot too much again this year it was their downfall last season as they did all that tough guy bullying only to have teams respond in force down the stretch mostly based upon the reputation the Blues had developed which caused many of the key players for them to be battered and bruised into the playoffs.

While I certainly agree the contact was to Oshie's head and that hit by Scandella looks very bad on replay I would definitely argue against it being DIRTY. I am very interested to see how the NHL player safety department responds.

I think Oshie needs to play with his head up more to be honest. Not blaming the guy for that hit or his concussion issue in general but he needs to pay attention and protect himself.

Also I would say that Shattenkirk cross check was so unnecessary which only made the result worse. Doubt though that any supplemental discipline will result from that one either.

Blues have to be careful not to stir the pot too much again this year it was their downfall last season as they did all that tough guy bullying only to have teams respond in force down the stretch mostly based upon the reputation the Blues had developed which caused many of the key players for them to be battered and bruised into the playoffs.
- Tony Dean

Tony, I never called it dirty. Heck, I have a much different opinion of the Seabrook hit than most Blues fans, lol. Shatty's play was completely unnecessary but that is the Blues MO unfortunately. I'm with you in that at most I think both guys get a fine.

Tony, I never called it dirty. Heck, I have a much different opinion of the Seabrook hit than most Blues fans, lol. Shatty's play was completely unnecessary but that is the Blues MO unfortunately. I'm with you in that at most I think both guys get a fine.
- stljam

I was addressing what I had seen mostly on Twitter from Blues fans my bad didnt mean to point that at you. I know you didnt call it dirty.

Carter ate the boards no doubt though I have to admit that part of me wondered if it was a dive gone wrong. I see shatty is behind me and i feel a hit so i start to dive but then the dive goes wrong because the force of the hit is different than what i was expecting, etc. I saw a guy break his ankle on a play like that, he went down trying to draw a penalty and slid foot first into the boards. Really cosmic kharma there. I'm not saying Carter did, just that I wondered since it looked like he launched himself into the wall at a greater speed than the hit would have suggested.

But I'm with you in that both should have gotten the same result.
- stljam

I don't think he couldn't have embellished, my personal opinion is that he didn't. Doesn't mean I'm right. That's just my perception of what happened, not saying I know one way or the other for either player... unlike some people, I can admit that I don't know every damn thing. Nor do I think that everything is always as it seems. But lord knows there's always that one dippoop you run into that has to tell you how things really are and to make sure he tells you how much more important and more importantly, correct his opinion is.

Some people just can't debate about something, they're always right and that's it, end of story. Your buddy Antilles is one of those cats.

Gump, one of the reverse camera angles I saw today showed much more than just a glancing blow to the chin. Given Oshie just returned from a concussion, it's not a long put that they forced him into the protocol. Not saying I know for sure but that's a suckers bet.
- stljam

I don't doubt they did to be honest, and I don't doubt that they did the same with Haula a few weeks ago. But any time I can debunk Antilles the know it all, impervious to suggestion and absolutely no proof needed whatsoever factual statements wizard, I relish the opportunity.

I don't doubt they did to be honest, and I don't doubt that they did the same with Haula a few weeks ago. But any time I can debunk Antilles the know it all, impervious to suggestion and absolutely no proof needed whatsoever factual statements wizard, I relish the opportunity.
- MnGump

Something you have yet to do once. I just give up responding often times because, as they say, arguing with you is like playing chess with a pigeon. I easily win, but you just take a poop all over the board then prance around like you did something impressive. You having nothing better to offer in response than personal attacks is an embarrassment to Wild fans. Outside of this post, I talk about hockey while you talk about me.

Funny stuff here from @DownGoesBrown.

Something you have yet to do once. I just give up responding often times because, as they say, arguing with you is like playing chess with a pigeon. I easily win, but you just take a poop all over the board then prance around like you did something impressive. You having nothing better to offer in response than personal attacks is an embarrassment to Wild fans. Outside of this post, I talk about hockey while you talk about me.
- Antilles

you guys need a new blog

you guys need a new blog
- Symba007

I agree my real life didn't allow it this week. I apologize

I agree my real life didn't allow it this week. I apologize
- Tony Dean

Uh oh... Another Ratgen...

Thought the Wild played a strong 60 minutes tonight. Little too much of the old "prevent" defense towards the end though.

Thought Montreal was allowed far too many liberties on the Wild home ice, but what can one expect from an Eastern team?! If they can't compete, they turn to hack hockey.

And can the Wild PLEASE for the love of god score just once on a major?! Jeezus H! how many is that now so far this season? 0 for 7 or 8? Pathetic.