Well, this game pretty much tells the story of the season, doesn't it? Outshot, out played, overmatched, but thanks to Niklas Backstrom the Wild are just good enough to stick around and be in the thick of it until the end.

The Detroit Red Wings are an incredibly solid team. They have playmakers, finishers, offensive defensemen, solid backchecking, decent play in their own end, but they lack a top-tier goalie. Chris Osgood certainly proved that today, somehow allowing Cal Clutterbuck to notch his 10th of the season.

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars

1. Marian Hossa (1 G, 1 A)
2. Pavel Datsyuk (1 G, 1 A)
3. Cal Clutterbuck (1 G, 1 A)

Questions to Answer

1. Will the Wild play the kind of counter-attacking game they did against Calgary? They tried, or at least I assume they did. Detroit is just too good.
   
2. Will the NBC coverage slant so heavily toward the Red Wings that we're all nauseous? I didn't watch. You tell me.
   
3. Will Marian Gaborik show off on the national stage? Another game, another goal for the best player in Minnesota. We'll miss you #10.
   
4. With Detroit virtually cemented into the #2 slot, will they relax and give the Wild an easier game? 44 shots would say no.
   
5. Is today the day the season comes to an end? It does indeed.
   

Notes

• The Wild are three points out of the final playoff spot with three games remaining. This is likely to change before the Wild play Dallas on Tuesday.
  
• The Red Wings became only the third team in HHL history to win 50 games in four straight seasons.
• Marian Gaborik has seven goals and 10 points in eight games since returning.
• Marek Zidlicky is a -14 on the season. That is the worst mark for a defenseman on the team.

Game Highlights