A hockey team can have all the shots and scoring chances in the world, but if they don’t have that execution and tidiness in the area of the ice where they need it, they will probably lose the game. The Minnesota Wild proved that right against the Nashville Predators tonight with their 2-1 loss.
Old friend Nino Niederreiter and Matt Duchene got the two goals for the home team, while Frederick Gaudreau scored in the third to attempt a comeback that immediately deflated. Marc-Andre Fleury was good — saving 23 of the 25 shots he faced — but Juuse Saros was even better, allowing just one goal on the 33 shots the Wild threw at him.