CHICAGO – The Wild is in a heated playoff race and facing what feel like must-win situations every night, yet for the second game in a row, veteran Thomas Vanek was scratched. Despite Ryan Carter getting injured Saturday against Carolina, checker Chris Porter, not Vanek, was inserted against the Blackhawks on Sunday night.
Wild's Vanek scratched but isn't venting frustrations
March 21, 2016 at 5:50AM
Coach John Torchetti essentially put Vanek on notice last week. He wants more work ethic and battle and made clear he wanted Vanek to start taking care of the puck.
Sweating and with a red face after getting skated hard by the assistant coaches Sunday, Vanek said Torchetti hasn't talked to him since about why he has been scratched.
"I think at this point there's no need to talk," Vanek said. "We're trying to win games, and if that's what he thinks is the best lineup, I've got to respect that. Am I happy about it? Of course not. I still feel like I can make a difference in this league.
"It's obviously been a tough year, but at the end of the day it's tough to score goals, and I've got 18 of them, which is not where I would like to be. But it is what it is. I'm not going to get frustrated here or be negative. I'll just work hard and wait for my chance to get back in and to make a difference."
Vanek has the third-most goals on the Wild and the fourth-most points (41 in 70 games).
Asked if he's frustrated he was the one removed from the lineup when there were several candidates after Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Devils, Vanek said: "I mean, do I speculate or have my thoughts? Sure, but I keep those to myself. It's adversity, and I'll just be a good teammate and work hard, and wait for my chance."
Torchetti wants a "solid game" from Vanek.
"That's all we're looking for from all our players," he said. "We put the lineup in that we feel that's going to help us win and if you're not in, you've got to wait your turn. And then when you get back in, stay in the lineup."
Sticking with Reilly
Defenseman Mike Reilly, born in the suburban Chicago city of Glenview, played in Chicago for the first time since the Blackhawks wooed him as a free agent by inviting him to last June's Stanley Cup Final.
Reilly played over Nate Prosser despite being benched the final 27 minutes of Saturday's game. He made a bad read that led to the Hurricanes' first goal.
"He's a kid. That's what kids do," Torchetti said. "[Matt Dumba and Reilly are] learning trial by error. We'd love them all to play a perfect game, but it doesn't happen that way. I think [Reilly's] done pretty well for a rookie so far."
Etc.
• Speedy Jason Zucker has scored four goals this season within 48 seconds of a period — three in the first 20 seconds. He also shares the American Hockey League record for fastest overtime goal (five seconds).
"You always want to start periods quick and strong and build momentum early," Zucker said.
• For the second consecutive season, defenseman Gustav Olofsson has had season-ending shoulder surgery. General Manager Chuck Fletcher said Olofsson is expected to be ready by training camp.
• Right winger Jason Pominville (lower body) missed his sixth consecutive game but skated hard with the scratches Sunday. The hope is Carter (upper body) will be sidelined "days, not weeks."
Brock Faber took a shot up high during Wednesday's loss to Florida but was checked out in a hospital and is likely to play Friday night.
