Despite Injury And Illness, The Wild Are Finding Confidence
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Josh Harding and Zach Parise are working on getting in game shape as the Wild are working on winning their sixth in seven games with Ottawa in town.
Harding is making progress, hoping to be back soon. However, he's not getting specific about his illness issues. He has multiple sclerosis.
"There are some things that are out of my control right now," the goaltender said. "I'm just happy with how we all dealt with it, and kind of figured out what we could control, and did it."
On Tuesday night, the Ottawa Senators are slated to play the Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. But for the Wild, it really doesn't matter who their opponents are, as no team can figure them out.
It doesn't make any sense, for instance, that Harding is considered to be the number one goalie. And it doesn't make any sense, with all the injuries the teams has suffered, that they've won five of their last six games.
Darcy Keumper is the team's third goalie, but now he's number one. He doesn't talk during morning skate on game day, his teammates talk for him.
"He's been unbelievable for us," forward Jason Pomminville said.
The recent injuries have been opportunities for young players to get ample ice time. But opportunity can mean rejection or confidence. Of late, it's been the latter.
"I think it's a little of everything," said forward Charlie Coyle. "You get a few wins under your belt…the pressure is off, you have some confidence in you."
Head coach Mike Yeo understands he doesn't have to read about his job in jeopardy…for now.
In other words, what the Wild have learned over the past 12 games is what they already know: It's a fragile world in the NHL.
"You can lose it very quickly, and it can come back to you very quickly," Yeo said.
