The Minnesota Wild's recent performance against perceived 'pushover' teams has been a source of frustration for coach John Hynes. The team's inability to bring the same intensity and focus to these games has led to a pattern of flat, uninspired efforts, resulting in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Hynes has emphasized that winning is not inevitable and that the team needs to understand the process required to win consistently.
One of the key issues is the Wild's mindset, according to Hynes. He believes that the team thinks they can simply 'come out and win' games without committing to their specific style of play. This approach leaves them vulnerable to being beaten by any team in the league. Hynes stresses that the Wild need to be willing to go through the process required to win, which includes playing a certain style and committing to it.
The Wild's penalty kill has been a bright spot, going 4-for-4 and leading the league at 91.3% since the break. However, the team's struggles against perceived weaker opponents have been a concern. Hynes acknowledges that the Wild have not been mentally prepared for these games, leading to costly mistakes and a lack of focus.
The Wild's star players, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, have been on fire, with Kaprizov scoring in six consecutive home games and Boldy tied for third in the NHL goals race. However, the team's overall performance has been inconsistent, and Hynes is calling for a re-evaluation of their approach to these games.
The Wild's next two games against the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs will be a test of their ability to bring the same intensity and focus to games against stronger opponents. Hynes' message is clear: winning is not inevitable, and the team needs to understand the process required to win consistently. The Wild's ability to adapt and improve will be crucial in the coming weeks.
