Is blowing a 2-0 lead a “new way” for the Minnesota Wild to lose?
Probably not, but that feeling of frustration lingers, as the New York Rangers stormed back from that deficit to grab a 4-2 win on Thursday.
Minnesota generated that 2-0 lead in the first period, a quick start that possibly angered Rangers head coach Alain Vingeault. The Rangers responded in the middle frame in particular, producing a 14-7 shot advantage and tying things up. As you can see, New York managed four unanswered goals to flip the script.
To little surprise, things are glum for the Wild.
Second straight year, a Broadway meltdown for the #mnwild, this time crumbling after a 2-0 deficit. 9th loss in 10 games. St. Louis next
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 5, 2016
... And you can’t help but wonder if their captain will absorb some of the heat.
Besides having no goals in the past 16 games (including tonight), Mikko Koivu has 22 shots. 12 shots in the past 10 games
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 5, 2016
Koivu: "We have to keep it up for 60 minutes. That's the only way to win in this league...there's a lot of things we have to do better."
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 5, 2016
In an eyebrow-raising comment, Ryan Suter admits that the Wild are “a fragile team.”
Ryan Suter: "We're a fragile team." Mentioned there isn't confidence which should be evident watching them. #mnwild
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) February 5, 2016
Yikes. Those are the kind of quotes that make you wonder about job security and panic trades.
The West wild card race is unforgiving, to say the least, and Minnesota really can’t afford many more nights like these.
More on Minnesota’s malaise