The Wild didn't practice very long Monday, but they didn't waste a moment. That's how coach Bruce Boudreau plans to handle things through the rest of the regular season, when a schedule of 19 games in 33 days makes practice time scarce.
The team spent a brisk 30 minutes on the ice at Xcel Energy Center. With players' spirits still high from Sunday's 3-1 victory over San Jose, they kept the mood light but still skated with energy and focus in preparation for Tuesday's game against St. Louis. Boudreau said from here on out, the Wild will address a single topic in each practice as they try to balance work and rest.
"The main thing is, we look at (video of) the night before, and we want to work on one thing,'' said Boudreau, who on Monday emphasized defensive zone coverage and play at the net. "I think at this stage, most practices will be 30 minutes or less.
"We just want to accomplish one thing. But we want to just not go out there for the sake of going out there. We want to make sure we do accomplish one thing and do that thing right to get it ready for the next day.''
Forward Zach Parise said even though the Wild is playing frequently, it still helps to practice just to maintain flow and comfort on the ice. The team spent nearly the entire session Monday beneath the blue line before adjourning to a just-for-fun shootout contest.
They weren't gassed when they left, which is how Boudreau wants it.
"Rest is going to be really important,'' he said. "We've got 19 games in 33 days. That's why practices are going to be so short, and hopefully, they're uplifting practices rather than grinding-out practices.
"We've got guys that are over 30 that it's more important to rest. They know we'll show a lot of video in the next month, and they're going to have to learn from that.''
