Minnesota Wild vs. Anaheim Ducks: The Morning After

by nathaneide on Feb 4, 2009 10:40 PM CST in Events

Minnesota Wild 3-0 Anaheim Ducks

I didn't actually watch tonight's game, so I'm going through the highlights right now. I look forward to your comments on tonight's shutout victory over Anaheim.

Nice to see the Wild start 1-0-0 under new captain Andrew Brunette. Very nice to see him get the first goal of the game, with a power move to the front of the net and for the Wild to get the kind of garbage goal they give up all too frequently. Love seeing Miettinen-Koivu-Brunette getting back into a nice rhythm. Koivu's goal was a goal-scorers goal. Nice centering feed from Mittens and MIkko banged it into the open net, rather than into Hiller's chest, which happens time and again with the Wild. Hey, the Wild even got an empty-net goal, which is shocking considering how futile they've been in those situations, and it keeps Pierre-Marc Bouchard's string in tact, which is great to see. He needs to really continue his hot play throughout the second half of the season.

Niklas Backstrom was the story of the night. 34 saves, including a highlight-reel quality one on Chris Kunitz' shorthanded breakaway in the 3rd period. Backstrom is back in position, not giving up rebounds, and controlling the flow of the game. This needs to continue, no matter whether the team wants to sign or trade him.

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars

Niklas Backstrom (34 shots, 34 saves)
Mikko Koivu (1 G, 1 A)
Andrew Brunette (1 G, 1 A)

Questions to Answer

Can the Wild show some kind of consistency? Two games in a row they've gotten the lead, and the defense played a very strong game. They looked to be consistent throughout the game, which hasn't happened very frequently this season.
Do they get payback for the shutout in January? Get shutout 3-0, come back the next time and shut them out 3-0. I'll take that.
Can the Wild stop Corey Perry? Finally! The Wild stopped Perry from getting on the board.
Do the new guys fit yet? Still no points, but Fritsche had 14:02 TOI. Olvecky however only had 7:09, which was below even Colton GIllies. Not too hard to see what Lemaire thinks of the youngster.
Will Pierre-Marc Bouchard stay on this hot streak since the All-Star break? He did. He's really picked up his game.

Notes

Owen Nolan, who has missed 19 games this season with various injuries, was scratched with muscle spasms in his upper body.
Tonight was Backstrom's franchise-record sixth shutout of the season.
Cal Clutterbuck drew two penalties and had seven hits in the first period.
Koivu picked up his career high 35th assist.