ViSe's takeways
- Cullen finally scored. But he still looked outmatched out there. He was forcing absolutely everything out there. Had some of the best opportunities to shoot out of everyone and looked for that extra pass.
-Parise is finding his way into my heart. I've never liked him that much, but he is getting there. So much hustle. Made one move I don't think I've ever seen from a Wild player. Put the puck around the defender and then went around the other side, but it was the way he did it.
-Suter played his first great game. I thought he looked freaking solid. Most of this is because of his great, new partner. He definitely picked up the man to man coverage better and cleared the crease a bit more.
-Brodin. Don't even get me started on this love fest. Still has room for improvement. Which is scary. Its like telling Lemmy to get better at guitar.
-Brodziak. I'm a little upset about his play. Hes had this disappearing act out there. Hes had better players on the third line and I thought he'd step-up this year, but he has been rather invisible. Even his physical game is kind of disappearing.
-Clutterbuck is seeing improvements in his playmaking abilities. Mostly in breaking out of the zone. He had a few nice passes to Bouchard to break it out that I liked. Great 3rd liner.
-Stoner. Bad. Missplays bodies, took a bad penalty, and seems to not be able find his niche.
-Harding's first goal given up was a tough one. The second one was all him. I never like the early hook, but it was the right decision. Hopefully, he'll bounce back.
-Backstrom rocked it. Its hard to come into the game cold. Nothing is tougher then coming into a game you didn't expect to play in. Might have helped get rid of jitters and what-not. He doesn't slide, like at all. His lateral movement is mediocre and slow. Can't get up fast. I'm still convinced its a hip issue. Big rebounds. Defense cleared out the crease well. Still a great game. Solid positionally, an underrated skill.
-Bouchard played a great game. He penetrated the inside more than any other game. Hes taking the reigns when entering the zone. No dump and chase for Bouchard. Dang right. Great passing.
-Konopka is an underrated agitator. I thought he'd just be a tough guy, but he really gets in his opponents head. It was nice to see.
-Granlund played his best game, I thought. Its not saying much, he is getting pushed around out there. Has trouble holding on to his stick. Something weird to see. Hopefully he takes this opportunity to learn and come under the wing of Bouchard.
-I can't even tell Scandella played tonight. Which is a good thing for a defenseman. Seriously, I don't remember at all.
-Heatley is starting to piss me off. You want to change, I get it. But everyone on the ice is tired. Don't just get passed the blueline and shove it off to the Hawks defender. You've given up goals doing this already this season. You're lucky Backs bailed you out of one tonight. Where did some of these playmaking skills go? They're missing this year a bit.
-Koivu seems to be getting the Parise magic. He's always been a great 2-way player, but if he was giving 100% in previous years then he is giving 110% now. He is getting that Parise hustle in him.
tldr; **** off, read it.
Absolutely agree. The people around me were having fun with that....it was hilarious. Everyone was thinking up ways to keep the stick in his hand. 
