#26...Nashville. WORK TO DO

The House Band:



The Recap:



The Gist:

Funny how when Minnesota and Nashville meet, the games turn into wild, high scoring affairs, considering up until this year Minnesota was a defense-first team while Nashville's system is strongly rooted in the same philosophy. Anyways, it was a game of give and take, especially when it came to momentum.

Stream of Consciousness:

- Last night was my first real viewing of Guillaume Latendresse; I knew of him as a player in Montreal, and that he was highly regarded in his Draft Year. When I first heard of the trade that was sending him here I checked out some scouting reports and responses from the rabid fanbase of the Canadiens. And...there weren't too many positive things, especially when it came to his skating. But last night I got the sense that I don't think his skating is that terrible; I thought he got to where he wanted to go decently, but also moved well laterally around the net (especially on his goal, and later on a door-step chance.) He was a force last night; he shot the puck, he hit, he forechecked, and he literally got every puck that came near him in the neutral zone. He's got 2 goals and 3 points in 3 games so far; now, that being said, I nor anyone else expects him to stay at a point-per-game clip, but I think that an engaged Latendresse, which was an issue in Montreal, can go a long way here in Minnesota.
- There has to be an issue with Marty Havlat other than the recent hamstring injury. He still looks tentative, passive, and made two real weak passes to a defensemen which led directly to turnovers, one of which resulted in a Steve Sullivan goal (what a slouch Sullivan was, only getting four points last night.) I didn't see how he faired on the point working the Power Play (sorry, I had to check out Steven Seagal: Law Man on A&E) but he still looks awful out there.
- Jamie Sifers...deserves more ice time. He's mobile, he competes, he hits, he appears capable of doing it all. And he doesn't look like he's out of place.
- There are still points in games where our play sags, and that enables the opposition to get into the game. Maybe its just an adjustment thing, or even a preparation thing, but I'd still like to see more complete efforts, even in losses.
- Anyone else realize we've won 3 in a row?

Next On The Rocket Docket:

Tomorrow Night, the Anaheim Ducks are in town. No word yet on whether Fulton Reed will be on the blueline.