David vs. Goliath: Can The Wild Knock Off The Oilers Tonight?

David vs. Goliath: Can The Wild Knock Off The Oilers Tonight?

If you want to be the best you need to beat the best. Well, the last place team in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Wild, take on the first place Edmonton Oilers tonight. Will beating the Oilers make the Wild the best – definitely not, but it would be a big boost for a team that would love to string together a few wins. So the question is, can the Wild do it?

The easy answer, probably not but the parity of the NHL allows for upsets to happen on a regular basis so let’s take a look at their style of play.

It might be surprising to hear that at even-strength, the Wild are tied for 6th in scoring chances against. They regularly shut down the cycle and they have some strong puck-moving defensemen like Matt Dumba and Jared Spurgeon who don’t get pinned down by a hard forecheck.

Their one weakness has been off-the-rush. Teams are able to transition the puck quickly against them and counter-attack with speed.

The Wild have struggled to deny opposing teams from entering their zone and have given up a lot of chances off the rush, which is one area you can’t give up against the Oilers.

It’s no secret that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl drive the bus for the Oilers. They love creating off-the-rush and are two of the most dangerous in the league when they’re given time and space to come through the neutral zone with speed.

If the Wild can’t clog up the neutral zone and limit the odd-man rushes they’re giving up, they’re going to be in for a long night. McDavid and Draisaitl can make even the best teams look silly at times and these numbers don’t do the Wild any favors.

Oh and if they do find a way to contain the Oilers attack at even-strength, they still have to face the number 1 power play and number 3 penalty kill. All in all this is a nightmare matchup for the Wild.

To answer our initial question about the Wild having a chance tonight. The safe answer is no, but that’s the great thing about hockey. Wilder things have happened…

 

 

(Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)