After a disappointing overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights that put their postseason hopes even further out of reach, the Wild remained home to play host to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, April 2. Things started well as both teams went back and forth until the Wild capitalized on their chance and took their first lead.
In the second, the Wild looked to be in control, at least at first, when they scored less than a minute in to take a two-goal lead. Things went decently until they went on the penalty kill, and the Senators scored to get within a goal, but the Wild held the lead through the rest of the period.
In the third, the momentum shifted to the Senators, who added their second power-play goal to tie the game. The Wild struggled a bit to get things going, but they scored one more goal to take the lead. They held it until the end of the game and secured the 3-2 win. The fourth line carried the team this time around, and that’s where we’ll begin.
Wild’s Fourth Line Steps Up
Normally, the first line carries the Wild through their games, but this time around, the fourth line stepped up. After the Wild’s busy trade deadline, which sent their original fourth line of Brandon Duhaime, Connor Dewar, and Pat Maroon away, the fourth line is now comprised of Mason Shaw, Vinni Lettieri, and Jake Lucchini.
After a devastating fourth ACL tear at the end of last season, Shaw returned to the lineup a month ago and it took a bit but he scored his first goal, which was the first goal in their win over the Senators. He hadn’t scored since March 21 of last season, over a year ago, so it was an essential goal for the team and himself. He’s a gritty player who has never given up, and his goal proved that.
The second goal wasn’t courtesy of the fourth line, but the game-winner was, and that came off the stick of Lettieri. He’s been a strong presence for the Wild before and after his injury, which caused him to miss a good chunk of the season—15 games—and it would’ve been more if not for the All-Star Break. He’s been back for a couple of months and got his first goal since Dec. 18.
Wild’s Penalty Kill Struggles
The Wild may have come away with the two points, but just barely, and their penalty kill was part of the reason they nearly lost. The Senators scored on two of the three power plays they received, and both goals were scored similarly. The Wild’s defense left the weak…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…