The Minnesota Wild are proving to be a tough team to predict, playing well against the elite, yet falling to the level of play that weaker opponents offer. And their volatile play is directly attributable to the performance of their blueliners.

They are currently riding a two-game winning streak, owing both wins to defenseman Brent Burns. Following close games with conference leaders Detroit and Dallas, the Wild’s last two games came against relatively weak opponents. They struggled against the Islanders, but managed to pull out an overtime victory on a Burns goal following a Marion Gaborik rush.

The Wild played St. Louis Sunday night in the first of a three game road trip, and it took six rounds into the shoot-out before Burns scored on a highlight-reel move against Manny Legace. And while the victories earned four desperately needed points, wins in regulation should have been possible against both teams.

The Wild’s defensive corps, aside from Burns and captain Nick Schultz, has proven to be mostly a liability. Burns is enjoying a breakout year, scoring 10 goals (three of them game-winners). Schultz is a rock on the blue line, and a steady force on and off the ice.

Unfortunately, Martin Skoula continues to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and Kim Johnson has yet to live up to his enormous contract. While the Wild rank ninth in the league in goals against, they rank a dismal 23rd in shots on goal against. This disparity shows that the Wild’s success is due to strong goaltending, not strong team defense, something Coach Jacques Lemaire has preached since day one. Sean Hill has struggled with injuries off and on throughout the season after missing the first 20 games due to a suspension. Keith Carney offers a solid veteran alternative, posting a plus-eight rating in only 37 games. Petteri Nummelin showed promise early in the season, even taking some time at wing, but has been a healthy scratch most of the season.

Options abound for the Wild, who are in the thick of rumors involving Peter Forsberg, a champion of defensive forwards. The Wild also have viable in-house options at defense at the Minor League Affiliate Houston Aeros. Shawn Belle has proven he can bring added physical play in his limited time with the big club. Erik Reitz and Clayton Stoner are also options. Stoner has played well in his games with the Wild, and made it a difficult decision to send him back to Houston during training camp.

The Minnesota Wild have been known throughout the league as tough defensive team, even after the crackdown on obstruction and interference. They have always had strong goaltending, and this year is no different. The only difference between a Wild team leading the Northwest Division by ten points rather than three turns out to be weak defense, both team defense and from the blue-liners in particular.

This is something that Coach Lemaire cannot be pleased about, as he knows as well as most, defense wins championships. The Wild also have new team owner Craig Leopold in the mix. Look to see some shuffling of the roster should the trend continue much longer.