Day after Gameday Comments

To be honest, there weren't a whole lot of Theo-specific comments out there in the internets today. Writers are focusing more on the overall woes of the Wild. It's not a pleasant time up there right now. I feel bad for the team, and I hope for everyone's sake they can turn things around a bit.

Here were a couple comments from Glen Andresen's in-game commentary last night:

Period 3

17:38 - Theodore knows how to use those leg pillows. He comes up with a huge kick save on a point blank shot from Chris Neil in the low slot. Theodore is keeping this a game, but the Wild has to get something going offensively. The boys really haven't threatened much since the too many men call.

5:59 - Once again, it's Theodore doing everything he can to keep his team alive. Kuba joins an Ottawa rush and fires a hard wrist shot from the slot. This time, Theo is quick to react with a stellar stop with the waffle glove.


Then from Andresen's "Five Takeaways" from the game:

"José Theodore got the start tonight, as Richards wanted to keep the team’s hottest goaltender between the pipes. Theo certainly didn’t disappoint in making 22 saves and yielding just two goals, neither of which would have been considered bad goals. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Niklas Backstrom  had a rough outing in Anaheim, but is also having one of his best seasons other than three or four bad starts. Theodore has been consistent, but I don’t think he’s considered the number one starter at this point. Stay tuned."

Last night before the game the Hockey Wilderness guys over at SB Nation asked this question:

How does Theodore look in a chance to seize the throne?

Their answer:

 2 goals allowed on 24 shots... better numbers than Backs for sure... the plot thickens.

Game Day, 12/16/10, Wild vs. Senators, Final Wild 1-Senators 3 (3rd was empty net)

Wild score early. It was 1-0 within the first 5 minutes of the game.

After 1 period, the Wild still lead 1-0. They've had 11 shots on goal vs. the Senators' 6 shots.

After 2 periods the Senators are up 2-1. Frustrating period. Ottawa just seemed in control the whole time. They had 12 shots that period and the Wild only had 6.

Game over, folks. Wild lose 3-1. That third goal was am empty-netter, so doesn't count against Théo. He saved 22 or 24 shots tonight. He drops to 4-5-1. :( Maybe a trade wouldn't be such a bad thing...this team just can't score!!

José's stats for this season so far:

4-5-1, .915 SV% (ranked 18th), 2.71 GAA (ranked 31st)

Theo Will Start Tonight vs. Ottawa, 12/16/10

Russo responded to someone on Twitter that Theo will start tonight against Ottawa. Game is at 7:00 CST.

Here was Russo's next tweet:

Russostrib
Michael Russo
#mnwild coach Todd Richards: "Right now we feel Jose (Theodore) gives us the best chance."

Russo mentioned the goalie situation in his blog today. Notice he mentioned the possiblity of José being traded before the deadline...I thought they might keep him through the end of the season, so only time will tell, I guess.

José Theodore starts tonight with Niklas Backstrom coming off a stinker in Anaheim. Frankly, Backstrom was real good his previous two starts, especially at Phoenix last Thursday, so I think too much is being made of the Backstrom sitdown. Obviously, Backstrom went through a three-game stretch where he did struggle dramatically late last month.

But it's hard to argue starting Theodore tonight, but again, even though Backstrom was not very good at Anaheim, neither was the team in front of him prior to some of the goals. But Backstrom wasn't sharp, dropping pucks left and right and kicking out rebounds.

Todd Richards' quote on why: "Right now we feel José gives us the best chance."

Ouch, yes, but key words there: "Right now." Things change quickly in this business, so to me, this is only the second game recently in this stretch where Backstrom normally would have started that he isn't. I'll wait a bit before deciding this is a cliched goalie controversy. Plus, Backstrom's still the guy thats's staying no matter what and Theodore's still the guy that if I were the Wild, I'd eventually try to trade (as long as the Wild's out of it by the Feb. 28 deadline).

He's on a one-year deal and some teams could need a goalie for a playoff run. And like it or not folks, that's the reality. Backstrom's $6 million-a-year contract will keep him here no matter what.

My First Attempt at a José YouTube Video

I'm am technologically stupid, so I've never done much along those lines. This blog was a stretch for me! ;o) But I decided I really wanted to make a YouTube video with my favorite José photos. So I figured out how to do that, and here it is! It's not a video so much as a slideshow, I guess. Let me know what you think. Just realize it's my first try, so might not be super great. Thank goodness my husband was here to help me with parts of it. I was stuck on a couple things. So take a look...this is one of my favorite songs of all time, Cry to Me by Solomon Burke. Love that scene in Dirty Dancing...;o)

Theodore Pushing Backstrom for Playing Time

An article in tonight's Minneapolis-St. Paul StarTribune.

Wild coach Todd Richards won't call it a goalie "tandem," but it's clear there is competition for ice time.

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune
Last update: December 14, 2010 - 11:01 PM

Makes me smile too, Theo!

After Tuesday's practice, Wild coach Todd Richards was asked if he had decided who would start in goal for the team Thursday against Ottawa.

"We have not," he said. "We'll make that decision [Wednesday]."

Is this proof the Wild has gone to a goaltending tandem? Richards wouldn't describe it as such. But it's clear that some recent missteps by Niklas Backstrom combined with the strong play of José Theodore has turned this into a job-share situation.

"Right now we take it game-by-game," Richards said. "If one of them steps up to the forefront, and can run with the ball, that's what we'll do. Theo's been pretty good, as far as consistency. Back had a really good game in Phoenix [on Thursday]. ... We didn't help [Backstrom] out in Anaheim [in a 6-2 loss Sunday]. He also needed to be sharper."

Backstrom started the season on fire, his play keeping the Wild in games night after night. He had a difficult three-game stretch in late November in losses to the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche in which he allowed five, six and seven goals, respectively. Theodore, meanwhile, has played steadily, going 4-4-1 with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. Backstrom is 9-8-3 with a 2.75 GAA and the identical .914 save percentage.

"Theo has come in and done a good job," Richards said. "He really has. To me, Theo has earned some playing time, which is what you want from everyone."

Backstrom did not appear bothered by the development, saying all he could do is play his best and leave playing-time decisions to the coaches.

"I feel good," he said. "There were a couple [difficult] games. Other than that, the way I've been playing, I think it's been the best start I've ever had to a season. I feel comfortable out there."

Coach Richards' Comments about Wild Goaltending Situation, 12/14/10

This is Coach Richards talking to the media today after practice. The goalie talk begins at the 3:00 mark. The reporter asked if he'd made a decision about who would start in goal for Thursday's game, and the coach said not yet, they'd probably make the decision tomorrow.

Some of the comments: "Theo's been pretty good, as far as consistency." Then some stuff about Backstrom.

"Right now, Theo's come in and done a good job. He really has. And to me, Theo's earned some playing time."



Edit: This was mentioned in Russo's Rants today.

Splitting Time
Greetings. Youngblood here with Russo at home wondering why he ever left Florida for Minnesota.

OK, it's not like a huge revelation, but Wild coach Todd Richards all but said Niklas Backstrom and Jose Theodore are splitting time in goal at this point. He got into the subject after saying after practice today that he hadn't decided on a starter for Thursday's game against Ottawa yet.

Here's Richards: "Right now we take it game-by-game. If one of them steps to the forefront and can run with the ball, that's what we'll do. Theo's been pretty good, as far as consistency. Back had a really good game against Phoenix. ... He's strung together a couple good ones. WE didn't help him out a lot in Anaheim. he also needed to be sharper."

Backstrom allowed that he'd had a couple difficult games, but said, overall, he's off to the best start of his career.

3rd Week in a Row a Theo Save is Up for Wild Play of the Week

Thanks, patronsaintx, for pointing out that the Wild's website has the 3 choices for Plays of the Week, Dec 6th-Dec 12th up today. So everyone be sure to vote for Theo's "game-saving save" in L.A. This is the 3rd week in a row he's had a save as a choice for Play of the Week, but he hasn't won yet. This could be the week!
http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=546223&navid=DLMINhome