Marco Rossi's goal-scoring ability could help Wild but first his demotion must end
The Wild scored only two goals in the first game of their playoff series on Sunday in Las Vegas. So why not give a bigger role to a guy who finished with 24 goals this season?
Top-line winger Matt Boldy’s two goals were the extent of the Wild’s offense in a 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday in the opening game of their playoff series. The other three lines accounted for one point and that came when Ryan Hartman was given a secondary assist on Boldy’s first goal.
In a game in which there was a lot to like about the Wild’s performance and physical style, it still wasn’t good enough and left Minnesota facing a near must-win in Game 2 on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena.
Wild coach John Hynes has to figure out a way to get more offense against a Vegas team that finished tied with Tampa Bay for third in goals against (219) this season. One lever Hynes could pull would be to end the exile of center Marco Rossi to the third line.
Rossi isn’t on that line by accident. He was demoted late in the regular season and it’s clear Hynes remains dissatisfied with what he’s seeing from the 2020 first-round pick. Rossi had two goals and six points in the final 10 games of the regular season, but Hynes probably didn’t approve of the fact he was a minus-5.
So why move up Rossi to play with wingers Marcus Johansson and Mats Zuccarello? Because having Rossi between Marcus Foligno and Gustavus Nyquist in the bottom six doesn’t make sense at this point.
Rossi, the ninth pick in the 2020 draft by Minnesota, was one of three Wild players to appear in all 82 regular-season games. He spent a good portion of it on the first line. Rossi finished third on the team with 24 goals and second with 36 assists and 60 points. His seven power-play goals led the Wild. Rossi averaged 18 minutes 15 seconds of ice time in the regular season, but played only 12:10 on Sunday night.
Rossi, who is 5-foot-9, 182 pounds, is more skill than grit, although he has shown a willingness to go to the net.
Making this move would be nothing against Foligno, who was outstanding Sunday and does whatever is asked of him. Nyquist was a skilled guy at one time but that hasn’t been the case since he was acquired by the Wild on March 1 for a 2026 second-round pick. He has contributed only two goals and seven points in 22 games and his biggest value is on the penalty kill.
Zuccarello and Johansson would be better fits for Rossi — especially if Johansson continues to play at the level he usually does when trying to get his next contract.