Everything but the End

Sometimes a team can play well throughout the game. They will work hard for loose pucks and on the forecheck. They'll create opportunities with that and the breakout. Their goals won't be gritty, they'll be plays in which the defense doesn't touch the puck before the net does. Those are the best kind of goals, as they don't rely on a big rebound or obvious mistake from the other team. Sometimes the underachieving youngsters will make a beautiful play together, and the aging veteran will score on grit and toughness alone. All of these things will happen, and the Wild will still lose.

Besides their overall strong play, generically described in the previous paragraph, the good news is that the Wild still got a point in the standings for their shoot-out loss. The bad news was also generically described in the previous paragraph.

The forecheck was absolutely tremendous for most of the game. Tampa had a lot of difficulty getting the puck out of their own zone, and when they managed that the Wild created peril in the neutral zone as well. About the only major defensive lapse was on the final play of the game, but leaving Ryan Malone unchecked in front of the net with 15 seconds remaining did not single-handedly lose this game. It certainly played the most visible role, but Kyle Brodziak's bone-head turnover lead to the goal that put the game within reach for the Tamp Bay Can't Believe They've Won the Stanley Cup.

The easiest goals in hockey come from odd-man rushes, which is why Jacques Lemaire's breakout keeps the defenders and center back, making long-passes. More men back, less likely the other team can outnumber you. So as Tampa Bay overextended to try and score, they turned it over with four of their players even with the puck. Part-luck, part smart positioning by the Wild in order to gain a three-on-one breakaway off of the Tampa turnover. Odd-man rushes should at the very least end in a shot, but Kyle Brodziak couldn't even manage an initial pass. The puck simply left him once he gained the offensive zone. Tampa took possession, and Cal Clutterbuck did not realize what would happen if he missed on his challenge at the Wild blue line. Another three-on-one, and Tampa wouldn't cough it up. Shot, rebound, and another shot would make it a much more exciting figure than any Minnesota fan would like.

All of Tampa's goals came off of Wild mistakes, seemingly the only ones the Wild made all game. That's hockey. The Wild still played well, and have played well since their last regulation loss against Vancouver. Tomorrow night in Washington will be a real test against a top team, but will be a bigger test of whether the Wild can recover after such an avoidable loss. Until then.