Game one is under our belts, game two awaits tonight. Last night felt good. Being in the rink, smelling the ice, hearing the skates cut the ice, seeing two teams wanting the win more than anything else at that moment. It was absolutely fantastic just to be around the game for a bit and let it all soak in. The shine will likely wear off faster than we want, but for last night... it felt pretty good.

Plus, there's a 1 in the W column. Good stuff. On to today.

Wild News

Russo's NHL Insider: Clutterbuck glad union players 'stuck together' | StarTribune.com - There was no winner, but the way the union fought, it has to be close.

Parise likes it in Minnesota - He likes us. He really, really likes us.

Homeland has Wild rookie Granlund well-covered | StarTribune.com - The people. They love him.

After slow start, Wild's top line shows its shine in 4-2 victory | StarTribune.com - This one was fun to watch, folks.

Dany Heatley scores twice on power play to lift Wild in opener | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities – Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Wild - How young must Heatley feel today?

Fins Backstrom, Raty at home in Minnesota - Yep.

Minnesota Wild: Kyle Brodziak a valuable commodity - TwinCities.com - Indeed. He's pretty good.

Enemy News

Defending Big D, a Dallas Stars community - Your SB Nation home for Dallas Stars fun.

Dallas Stars News - Sports News for Dallas, Texas - SportsDayDFW - Your newspaper newsy news.

Tending the Fields

Haula's return inspires victorious Gophers over North Dakota | StarTribune.com - From yesterday, but hey...

First Round Bust: What to Make of Matt Dumba... - He's good. Good enough for me.

Off the Trail

Here are 113 things that changed in the NHL since we last dropped the puck (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports - 113 of them. Get it on it.

Watch the Los Angeles Kings finally raise their 2011-12 Stanley Cup banner (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports - Good on ya, boys.

Over/under? Season win totals for each NHL team | Backhand Shelf | Blogs | theScore.com - Wild at 24.5. So just over .500. Thoughts?

Luke Schenn scores own goal against Penguins | Backhand Shelf | Blogs | theScore.com- BA HA HA HA HA HA HA!