Poor Play Haunts Wild Against Habs

Ten power play attempts. Zero goals.

One grisly statistic sums up the night for the Minnesota Wild as they fell to the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 on Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center, the team's second consecutive loss following a 6-0-1 start to the season.

The Wild spent more than half of the second period on the power play, including three 5-on-3 advantages. Perhaps it was Halloween Eve, but it seemed like the Wild was playing with spooked sticks as the team struggled making clean passes and shots on net. In a word, the Wild was ghoulish.

Not that the game began that way. Wild defenseman Brent Burns, playing at the forward spot, scored in the opening 91 seconds, but Montreal's defenseman Francis Bouillon tied the game a couple of minutes later. It was during the second period, during a 5-on-3 advantage, that the Habs took the lead for good when defenseman Andrei Markov scored.

"We can't rely on just the power play. We've got to get goals 5-on-5, too," Wild head coach Jacques Lemaire said after the game, his team peppered with boos from Wild fans as its play frustrated the crowd as well as the players.

"Nothing's clicking, then the crowd gets into it and suddenly you can't make any plays at all. It builds up and builds up, and suddenly you're thinking too much instead of just making plays." commented forward Eric Belanger to the Star Tribune.

On tap: The Wild travel to Arizona to take on the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday night.

My heart will go on: I had the opportunity to sit in one of the Xcel Energy Center's Executive Suites at the game Thursday night--thanks to pop diva Celine Dion. My cousin works security detail for the French-Canadian singer and was in the Twin Cities as part of her North American tour. He had an extra ticket and invited me to go to the game. How could I say no? Now I wonder what I can get out of Cher...

Status Quo for Wild in Dallas

Coming into Wednesday night's tilt with the Dallas Stars, the Minnesota Wild had not won in the Lone Star State since 2003. That streak continued as the Stars handed the Wild (6-1-1) its first regulation loss of the season with a 4-2 victory.

Dallas (4-4-2) took control of the game with the first drop of the puck. Brendan Morrow sunk a goal just 13 seconds into the game, and the Stars never looked back. Dallas struck for three goals in the first period alone, sending Minnesota goalie Nicklas Backstrom to the showers early, and giving backup Josh Harding his first action of the season.

Andrew Brunette and Marc-Andre Bergeron scored for the Wild. Morrow, Steve Ott, Brad Richards and Matt Niskanen all tallied goals for the Stars.

"We chased the whole game," defenseman Kim Johnsson told the Star Tribune. "They're very good with the small plays, especially from the corners to the high slot. They do that a lot, and we have to do a better job recognizing that."

On tap: The Wild need to forget this game quickly, as they return home to play the Montreal Canadiens (6-1-1) tonight at the Xcel Energy Center.

Weight's Hit Center of Controversy

There's been a ton of talk out there regarding the hit New York Islander Doug Weight put on Carolina Hurricane Brandon Sutter during the third period of Saturday night's game near center ice. Sutter received a concussion and an overnight stay at a Long Island hospital out of the deal; Weight, on the other hand, got nothing--the hit was legal, if not gruesome.

To sum it up, Sutter, a rookie, was reaching out with his stick for the puck and had his head down when Weight clocked him. Sutter fell like a sack of potatoes.

According to columnist E.J. Hradek: "I don't mean to blame the victim, but skaters have to protect themselves. In Sutter's case, that means keeping his head up. I feel bad even writing that, but it's a simple and sometime hard-learned lesson in a contact sport."

In some ways, I agree. Hockey is a contact sport, and perhaps the most dangerous considering the game is played on ice, the players have steel knives strapped to the bottom of their feet and are armed with long sticks shooting vulcanized rubber upwards of 100 m.p.h. You wouldn't exactly want to be skipping through center ice with your puppy by your side during the middle of a game. You have to expect big hits and projectiles and play somewhat defensively for your own health's sake. That being said, there is a fine line between "playing the game" and assault with a deadly weapon. The NHL has had to, and continues to, deal with this issue over the decades by enforcing rules that protect players and doling out suspensions for goon behavior.

Weight, a wily veteran, has surely been on both ends during his illustrious career. There's little doubt that the hit was meant to injure. But it's one thing to take a guy out of a play, and another to simply "take him out." Surely Weight could have adequately disrupted Sutter's play on the puck without risking his future in the sport. Perhaps players need to be reminded that everyone's career is only one hard hit away from ending.

Wanna view the hit? Click here.

What do you think about the hit? I appreciate your comments!

Wild Takes Blackhawks Down, 3-2

For Minnesota Wild opponents, it's more like a man-disadvantage. The Wild killed all three penalties Monday night to extend their perfect streak to 22 as they downed the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 at the Xcel Energy Center.

In fact, the Wild (6-0-1) are the first team since the 1962-63 Toronto Maple Leafs to start the season perfect on the penalty kill in its first seven games.

Wild forwards Andrew Brunette and Antti Miettinen and defenseman Brent Burns all scored for the Wild, while captain Mikko Koivu notched three assists, which leads the NHL. Goalie Nicklas Backstrom turned away 34 of 36 shots on goal.

"We're just trying to work hard and work together," remarked Koivu after the game in regard to the Wild's remarkable penalty kill. "We gotta be careful every night and score when we get the chance."

Right winger Patrick Sharp and defenseman Duncan Keith, both alternate captains, scored for the Blackhawks, while backup goalie Cristobal Huet took the loss.

Chicago (3-3-3) played strong the first period of the game, armed with a tenacious forecheck that allowed Sharp to give the Hawks a first-period lead. However, the second period was all Wild, capped by the powerplay goal by Burns. Keith's goal in the third brought Chicago within a goal with under five minutes to play, but the Wild clamped down and brought the fans another home win.

Chicago out-shot Minnesota 36 to 18 but just couldn't capitalize.
Big time: With the victory, Backstrom is now 41-0 in regulation when the Wild are leading going into the third period.

Toughing it out: Minnesota winger Owen Nolan left the game late in the second period after getting roughed up along the boards but returned to start the third period.

On tap: The Wild travel to Texas to take on the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. Gametime is 7:30 p.m. CT.

Power Rankings - Top Ten

1. (3) Buffalo Sabres (6-2-2): Former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Thomas Vanek leads the league in goals scored, Ryan Miller has been outstanding in the net (fourth in goals allowed) and the supporting cast is producing.

2. (2) New York Rangers (10-2-1): Henrik Lundqvist and the Broadway Bruisers keep finding ways to win. Who needs Sean Avery?

3. (1) San Jose Sharks (9-2-0): Losses to Ducks and Panthers prompt a slip from No. 1, but this team means business.

4. (7) Detroit Red Wings (7-2-2): The Motor City is getting another fast start from their beloved Wings thanks to Marian Hossa's four goals and five assists in four games.

5. (4) Montreal Canadiens (7-1-1): Habs put together a nice run, capped off by a win in Minnesota.

6. (10) New Jersey Devils (5-2-2): So goes Marty Brodeur, so go the Devils.

7. (8) Pittsburgh Penguins (5-4-2): There is talk that Malkin having to play second fiddle might cause a ruffling of the feathers sooner rather than later.

8. (NR) Calgary Flames (6-3-1): Flames haven't lost since Oct. 18 and are riding a five-game winning streak.

9. (5) Minnesota Wild (6-2-1): The Wild hasn't been finding the net as of late as their competition has improved over the past week.

10. (NR) Anaheim Ducks (6-5-0): After an abysmal start to the season, the Ducks are finding more discipline equals more wins.

Wild Holds Breath, Tops Blue Jackets

It came down to a call to Toronto that secured a 2-1 victory for the Minnesota Wild over the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday night.

The Blue Jackets (3-5-0) appeared to have scored the tying goal with just 11 seconds left in regulation. Left winger Rick Nash deflected a pass that slipped past Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom that the referees signaled as a goal. However, upon further review by league officials in Toronto who were privy to several replays, it was determined that Nash's hockey stick blade was above his shoulders, and the goal was disallowed.

When the final horn sounded, Blue Jacket players were visibly frustrated with the reversed call, with one player banging his stick against the Wild goal until it split into two.

"We like to make it exciting," declared Wild coach Jacques Lemaire during the post-game press conference. "I didn't see the shot but I saw it go in the net. When I saw the replay, I thought [high-sticking] was obvious."

Center Pierre-Marc Buschard and winger Owen Nolan both scored for the Wild (5-0-1). Nolan, defenseman Marek Zidlicky and center Mikko Koivu tallied assists.

Rostislav Klesla scored the lone goal for Columbus. Backstrom recorded 25 saves.

Gaborik out: Wild winger Marian Gaborik was placed on Injured Reserve for a lower body injury. Because the placement was retroactive to Oct. 14, Gaborik could rejoin the team at any time when healthy.

Nearly deja vu: Had the Blue Jackets' goal stood at the end of the third period, the game would have been forced into overtime for the third consecutive game. The Wild let a two-goal lead slip away versus the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, costing the team a point.

On tap: The Wild host Johnathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday evening at the Xcel Energy Center.

Defensive Lapses Sink Wild vs. Sabres

It was all going well at the Xcel Energy Center on Thursday night. Too well. The Minnesota Wild (4-0-1) were enjoying a 3-1 lead versus the upstart Buffalo Sabres (6-0-1), one of the better skating teams in the NHL. The team had held Thomas Vanek and Co. to three shots in the period. But in a span of 46 seconds with under five minutes to play in regulation, Buffalo tied the score and sent the game to overtime, where Sabre Derek Roy crashed the net 44 seconds in and sent Buffalo home with two points and the Wild home with a sick feeling in players' stomachs.

Young Wild defenseman Brent Burns, who scored on a trick shot early in the third period, took his share of responsibility, getting caught twice as he left his man to chase a loose puck that ended up costing the team two goals.

As far as the trick goal, Buffalo netminder Ryan Miller came out from the net to attempt a pass to a teammate when Burns got his stick on Miller's that deflected the puck into the net.

"It's the most embarrassing thing I've ever done in my life," Miller told a Star Tribune reporter.

At the time, it appeared the faux pas by Miller might surely cost his team a victory. But the Wild's inattention in the final quarter of the third period all but made up for it.

Said coach Jacques Lemaire in the postgame interview: "We had a bad two-and-a-half, three minutes. I thought we had our best game the way we played. We were on them, we didn't give them a lot. ... But we had three minutes that we did not get quite involved, just sitting there and watching them."

In addition to Burns, Benoit Pouliot and Stephane Veilleux scored goals for Minnesota. Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom stopped 20 of 24 shots for his first loss of the season.

Lemaire simply summed it up. "[Buffalo is] a team that when you let them play they will hurt you, and they did."

On tap: The Wild host the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-3-0) on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Blue Jackets are in fourth place in the Central Division.

Power Rankings - Top Ten

1. San Jose Sharks (5-1-0): The Sharks are living up to the pre-season hype as the team capable of toppling the Red Wings in the Western Conference.

2. New York Rangers (6-2-1): A strong start overseas followed up by big early season wins against the Devils and Flyers gives Manhattan a reason to hope this season.

3. Buffalo Sabres (4-0-1): A combination of stellar goaltending and the offensive prowess of Thomas Vanek has the Sabres fighting hard to share the limelight with the Bills.

4. Montreal Canadiens (5-0-1): The Habs seem to like playing close games early on. They'll need to do more than eke out wins.

5. Minnesota Wild (4-0-0): Despite injuries, the Wild are finding the net with Mikko Koivu and Antti Miettinen coupled with superb netminding from Nicklas Backstrom.

6. Edmonton Oilers (4-0-0): The Oil might be the fastest skaters in the NHL and are burning up the competition thus far.

7. Detroit Red Wings (3-1-1): Argueably the most prolific offense in the league, the Wings have had a solid start in a surprisingly better division.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins (4-2-1): Look for winger Pascual Dupuis' numbers to climb now that he's on the same line as Crosby and Malkin.

9. Washington Capitals (3-1-1): Ovechkin made his case for the NHL's best offensive talent when the Caps beat the Penguins.

10: New Jersey Devils (4-1-0): Between the pipes, Brodeur simply seems to defy his age.

Lemaire Frustrated by Young Guns

Should the Minnesota Wild go on to win the 2008-09 Stanley Cup, it's a sure thing that head coach Jacques Lemaire would find something about his team's play. The Wild are one of only two undefeated teams in the National Hockey League (Northwest Division rival Edmonton Oilers is the other) yet it is the transparent play of the Wild's youngsters that has the French Canadian riled.

With injuries to forwards Marian Gaborik, Owen Nolan and Pierre-Marc Bouchard (placed on injured reserve Friday), the Wild needs help from its young trio of James Sheppard, 20, Benoit Pouliot, 22, and rookie Colton Gillies, 19. Their unsteady play has meant more minutes on the ice for team captain Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen and alternate captain Andrew Brunette. Eventually, the extra ice time will wear on the three over-producers.

"They've got to do better ... Come on. I've got nobody to play, and I've got to sit them? They have to wake up," remarked Lemaire to Star Tribune reporter Mark Russo. "I don't want to get on them, but you know, this is the NHL. I've said that. But we demand a lot. The kids, they've got to play."Lemaire has made vague threats that if the trio's production doesn't improve, it could mean game scratches or possibly demotions. But for now, they're all that the coach has.

"As soon as I get my [injured] guys back, I know what I'm going to do," Lemaire remarked. "It's a matter of time. It's a matter of time. I'm telling you. It's no secret. It's a matter of time."

Wild Top Lightning in Tight Game

Minnesota Wild right winger Antti Miettinen can't seem to stay out of the team's highlight reel. The flying Finn was the only player to put the puck in the net Saturday night as the Wild (4-0-0) downed the Tampa Bay Lightning (0-2-3) by the score of 1-0 in a shootout in Florida.

Fellow Finland native Niklas Backstrom pitched in as well, recording his 10th career shutout. Backstrom is 4-0 this season, stopping nearly 95 percent of opponent's shots.

Wild center Eric Belanger made two outstanding efforts to block Tampa shots at an open net late in the third period, which helped force overtime. "Anything to get the win," he told the Star Tribune.

Gabby wearing rouge, blanc, bleu? There is a rumor floating that Marian Gaborik could be dealt to the Montreal Canadiens for alternate captain and forward Christopher Higgins, backup goalie Jaroslav Halack and a No. 1 draft pick. The deal would take some work, however, with the salary cap in play.

On tap: The Wild get a nice break before returning to the Xcel Center in St. Paul on Thursday to play the Buffalo Sabres (4-0-1), their fourth consecutive Eastern Conference opponent.

Wild's "A-line" gets an A+

Minnesota Wild head coach Jacques Lemaire is known for shaking up his lines. But something tells me he'll keep his hook away from the trio of Andrew Brunette, Mikko Koivu and Antti Miettinen for the time being.

The three forwards took charge Thursday night Down South with forwards Marion Gabork, Owen Nolan and Pierre-Marc Bouchard nursing injuries, and the Wild shut down the Florida Panthers 6-2 at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.

Koivu put on quite a display himself, tying a team record for assists with four and also notching a goal. Miettinen found the net twice for the second game in this young season. Brunette also tallied a goal and an assist.

Never at loss for words, Lemaire praised his top line. "It's fun to see because, let's say, it makes it a little easier for me," he told the Star Tribune. "It's one line that plays together that you guys won't say I'm breaking the line again. They're carrying a lot right now."

If anyone worried that this team couldn't score with the subtraction of Pavol Demitra and Brian Rolston, their nerves should be calmed. The Wild has given every reason to suspect this team will be competitive in the Northwest Division this season.

On tap: The Wild (3-0-0) finish their Southeast roadtrip Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning (0-2-2), who, surprisingly, are still searching for their first win. The game is on Channel 45 and WCCO 830 AM at 6:30 p.m.

Wild Injuries Should Raise Eyebrows

The way the Minnesota Wild's season has started out, the team might as well be playing at HealthPartners Center.

All-star forward Marian Gaborik will sit out tonight's tilt against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla., because of what the team is calling a "lower body injury." That's about as vague as the Toronto Maple Leafs' rebuilding plan.

Gaborik joins a MASH unit consisting of defenseman Marek Zidlicky (ankle), who has yet to play during the regular season; and forward Pierre-Marc Buschard (back) who will also sit along with right-winger Owen Nolan (lower body).

This is definitely not the way coach Jacques Lemaire wanted to start the season. Two games in, and the Wild has already called up a player from the minor-league affiliate (right-winger Cal Clutterbuck). It has to make one wonder what type of conditioning this team is going through leading up to the season opener. Sure, hockey is a rough sport fought with blades of steel and sticks of lumber. But four injuries in two games so serious that they prohibit players from hitting the ice has to raise some questions. If the Wild does not get healthier quick, Xcel Energy Center ticket holders might soon find themselves watching the Houston Aeros.

Miettinen Channels Mario to Beat Thrashers

As a youngster, he idolized Pittsburgh Penguins hall of famer Mario Lemieux. On Tuesday night in Atlanta, he played like him.

Antti Miettinen, one of the Minnesota Wild's newest pieces to its roster, scored two third-period goals to help the Wild beat the Atlanta Thrashers 4-2 at Phillips Arena. Forwards Andrew Brunette and Marian Gaborik also scored for the Wild (2-0-0).

"My parents were a big influence on me and my career," Miettinen has said. "I also had a lot of really good coaches that helped along the way. I idolized Mario Lemieux when I was younger, as well as Teemu Selanne."

The 28-year-old Finnish winger scored on a breakaway early in the third period, then iced the victory when he put the puck in the net with 2:40 remaining.

"He's a good player. He is always at the right spot," praised Wild coach Jacques Lemaire following the game.

The Thrashers (1-1-1) netted goals from alternate captain Ilya Kovalchuk and fellow forward Bryan Little.

Miettinen was a seventh-round pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2000 NHL Draft. He signed with the Wild in the offseason for three years/$7 million.

On tap: The Wild enjoy a day off before facing the Florida Panthers (1-1-0) on Thursday night in Sunrise, Fla.

NHL Recession-Proof?

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday that despite the financial game of Chutes-and-Ladders being played around the globe, the league remains in a "growth mode," according to a report on nhl.com.

"We're acutely aware of what's going on out there, but it hasn't yet impacted us," Bettman stated as he sat in on the Vancouver Canucks vs. Washington Capitals hockey tilt in the District of Columbia.

According to the league, both season ticket and individual game ticket sales have increased over last year (4 percent and 13 percent, respectively).

Certainly, Bettman must take a cautious approach to these figures. Should the financial markets continue to struggle, Americans and Canadians will continue to consider reining in their discretionary spending, and that includes NHL team tickets. (The average ticket price for the 2008-09 season being $49.66.) Another point to ponder: With the season just under way, all 30 NHL teams are in playoff contention; as the season wears on, some teams (ahem! Toronto Maple Leafs) will be out of the mix and arguably lose a substantial amount of individual ticket sales. Bettman can't be naive enough to think that ticket sales will continue to grow at such a clip.

Like the NBA, which just announced layoffs, the NHL is also vulnerable to a concoction of economic recession + poor performance + tepid markets. Bettman beware.

Kopitar Extension Could Foreshadow Gaborik's Exodus

News of Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar signing a seven-year, $47.6 million extension isn't good news for Minnesota Wild fans. That's not because the Wild will continue to face one of the Western Conference's rising stars for a good chunk of the next decade. Rather, it could very well spell the exit of the Wild's face of the franchise and most popular player, Marian Gaborik.

The Kings signed the 21-year-old phenom to a deal that registers nearly $7 million per season. Meanwhile, the Wild have made multiple offers to Gaborik, rising to the tune of $8 million per season. If you look at each player's statistics over the past year, Wild G.M. Doug Risebrough's offer seems more than palatable.

Kopitar: 82 games; 32 goals; 45 assists; 77 points; +/- = -15; SOG 201
Gaborik: 77 games; 42 goals; 41 assists; 83 points; +/- = +17; SOG 278

The growing consensus is that Gaborik isn't satisfied with playing in St. Paul and seeks a bigger pond, so to speak, on which to play. Nobody can be upset with the Wild if Gaborik ends up elsewhere. While he is a solid, above-average player in the NHL, he is by no means a member of the league's elite. Should Risebrough work hard at a trade in which the Wild picks up an assortment of good young players and prospects, a trade could provide rich rewards down the road when the young talent on the Wild roster is in its prime.

Lemaire Not Content With Wild Win

I spent Saturday evening peering through the intermittent wipers as I headed south from Duluth toward the Twin Cities, fiddling with the radio tuner trying to located the Wild opener on some AM frequency. As part of my marriage vows, I promised to sometimes do things I don't particularly enjoy instead of doing things I really enjoy. That meant attending a wedding rather than in front of the television watching the Wild's first regular season game as defending Northwest Division champions. Somewhere near Hinckley, I found the game and was able to decipher a 4-1 Wild lead through two periods between the crackles.

The closer I got to the metro area, the faster the lead seemed to shrink. Lapses in defense led to two Marc Savard goals to bring the Boston Bruins to within a goal. To the Wild's advantage, time ran out and the crowd of 18,000 walked out of the 'X' breathing a sigh of relief.

After the game, Wild coach Jacques Lemaire had some good things to say, but in true Lemaire style, didn't hold back in his disappointment over a sluggish beginning and end to the game.

“I have to see more. I like the potential that we have. Now we’ve got to play together,” the former Montreal great remarked. He added that when the team begins its three-game road trip through the Southeast Division next week they will have to play more cohesively or they'll leave points behind.

A couple of newcomers made their marks in Saturday's victory. Wingers Anti Miettinen and youngster Colton Gillies both had a point. For Gillies, it was his first regular season game in the NHL.

“Did you hear me from the ice? Oh man, I was definitely screaming,” said Gilles, who fed the pass that led to one of Eric Belanger's two goals on the night.

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Coming out: Center Eric Belanger should be a name Wild fans here a lot of this season as the team will rely on its younger talent to put more pucks in the net. Belanger had a strong night, finishing with two goals on four shots.

Welcome back: Former Wild goalie Manny Fernandez returned to the Xcel Engergy Center on Saturday night as the netminder for the Bruins. Fernandez missed most of last season with an injury.

Foreshadowing perhaps? Wild right winger Marian Gaborik had a quiet night Saturday, finishing the game without a point and only two shots. There is rumor that the face of the franchise is on the trading block, the latest rumor the Slovak going to Ottawa. Stay tuned for more on Gaborik.

Up next: The Wild travel to Georgia to take on the Atlanta Thrashers (1-0-1) on Tuesday. The game starts at 6 p.m. on Fox Sports North.