Quite a costly loss for the Yotes last night, 4-1 to the Wild. Smith did not look sharp. Coach was probably regretting his choice several times during the game. The Yotes now trail the Wild by 2 for the last wildcard spot. It's early, and I think they can still catch a spot, but they are not playing well right now, despite the 6-0 blanking of the Flames three nights ago. They have lost 3 of 5 on this homestand, and face the best team in the league on Saturday night.
This game is a prime example of why Keith Yandle is not a first selection (may be injury replacement) for the US Olympic squad. He is a nice offensive defenseman - as his point totals year over year bear out - but he is a below average defensive player (-6 leads the team other than Halpern (-8)). The US team needed defensmen - they have plenty of forwards. The Yotes were chasing the game due to a terrible turnover by Yandle in the defensive zone (he should have received the only assist on the unassisted Wild first goal) and then a bad decision to try to keep the puck in the zone with three Wild rushing the blue line. Smith should have made the save (see above), but their shouldn't have been a chance in the first place. I get that people love Yandle, but the constant cheerleading by Nash (ex-roomate) is way overboard. I would happily trade him for a true defenseman and another piece.
Just my opinion.
