Wild Limit Reigning President Trophy Winner, Win 2-1

The Wild by far played one of its better games against the Washington Capitals last night, holding them scoreless until the last 1:36 of the game when Alexander Ovechkin scored spoiling Niklas Backstrom's shut out.  The Wild put out a solid effort defensively against a offensive juggernaut with the likes of Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, and Mike Green, holding them to 22 shots in the game (4-7-11=22), and it didn't hurt that the Capitals were in Carolina the night before.

Chuck Kobasew scored the first goal of the game, his first point of the season, in the first period burying a great feed across the goal crease by Andrew Brunette.  Kobasew, who has been bothered by a groin injury this season, was moved to the first line with Antti Miettinen not playing because of an illness, played well along side Brunette and Mikko Koivu.  Koivu would later score the game winning goal late in the second period with the Wild on powerplay and with a delayed penalty being called.

Backstrom was just solid last night, making the easy saves along with a couple spectacular ones like this post to post save on Mike Knuble on the powerplay.

Backstrom, along with the defensive corps, was able to stymie the Capitals, frustrating them at times.  Brent Burns and Nick Schultz were a solid defensive pairing, and were often pitted against Ovechkin.  Just a good solid 60-minute effort by the Wild, one of the few ones that fans have seen in a long time.  If the Wild could play like this the rest of the season they'd be set =).

Notes:

•  I'm really starting to like Justin Falk-Clayton Stoner d-pairing.  For a pair of rookie defensemen they haven't made any glaring mistakes, they've just been solid.  Stoner didn't play well in camp so I had my reserves about him and Falk has impressed me so far.
• With all eyes on Martin Havlat after his agent Allan Walsh comments on his underuse in the Wild lineup, he did nada.  Havlat ended the night with one shot in 17:27 of ice time.
• Colton Gillies played his first NHL game since the 2008-2009 season and Casey Wellman made his home debut.  Gillies and Wellman replaced Guillame Latendresse (groin) and Miettinen (illness).
• When a sellout streak stops, it really stops.  I was surprised that the X wasn't sold out seeing as it was the Caps the Wild were playing.
• The Wild took only 2 penalties last night...YAY!

UP NEXT: Saturday vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 7:00pm CT

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Wild, 4 vs. Blackhawks, 1

Aren't the Wild happy that they have an all-star goaltender in Niklas Backstrom in net, stopping the pucks. without Backstrom last night the Wild may not have pulled this game out and grab two points from the Chicago Blackhawks. After grabbing a 3-0 lead against the Blackhawks, with a goal from Mikko Koivu, his 60th of his career, and two powerplay goals from Marek Zidlicky, the Wild just went into a defensive mode, especially after Martin Havlat scored midway through the game. The Blackhawks peppered goalie Niklas Backstrom with a total of 40 shots during the game, and had prime scoring chances. Great goaltending from Backstrom, capitalizing on early scoring chances, and scoring in powerplay opportunities, that's what won this game for the Wild.

Notes:
• Andrew Brunette was in the lineup for his 498 consecutive game after being injuried in the game against Anaheim. He had two assists in the game.
• Danny Irmen was recalled from Houston just in case Brunette wasn't able to play against Chicago.
• Irmen, along with Eric Reitz, were the healthy scratches for Minnesota.
• Martin Havlat scored at exactly the 10:00 minute mark of the second period, so one lucky Blackhawks season ticketholder just won $1million.
• Kurtis Foster made his first road trip with the team since breaking his leg in a game late last season against San Jose.

UP NEXT: Today vs. Los Angeles Kings, 7:00pm CT

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