Minnesota Wild @ Colorado Avalanche: The Morning After

This picture tells the story tonight. Were it not for the stellar play of Niklas Backstrom (36 shots, 35 saves), the Wild would have lost to an inferior Colorado Avalanche team. Nice to see Pierre-Marc Bouchard get back on the score sheet. He's been stricken with "unlucky bounce-itis" lately. Pucks aren't finding their way onto his stick. Tonight he took advantage of his chance.

Oh, and Darcy Tucker is nothing but a cheap-shot artist.

Look for Derek Boogaard to wipe Darcy Tucker off the map in the next meeting, especially if the NHL doesn't suspend Tucker for his cheap-shot antics. There's no place for him in the NHL.

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars

Niklas Backstrom (36 shots, 35 saves - just another night for Nik)
Marek Zidlicky (2 assists - thanks for tripling your point total)
Pierre-Marc Bouchard (1 goal - Welcome back)
Questions to Answer

Where the hell is Pierre-Marc Bouchard? Apparently he just needed to be the focus of the blogosphere to find his game again.
Where is the vaunted Wild defense? After giving huge numbers of shots in the last four games, they need to shut the Avs down tonight. Still way too many shots, especially after getting the first 8 of the game. Against a better team, this will kill them (see: San Jose).
Will the power play let the Wild down again? 1/3 tonight. I'll take 33%.
Will Kolanos build on a solid first showing? He was in the mix tonight. Didn't make any mistakes, and played a solid game. Just didn't get the bounces tonight.
Which will last longer, Gaborik's injury or the Franken/Coleman recount? Considering that the AMA line was outstanding again, and the Senate race is far from over, I'm hoping the Senate race lasts much longer.
Notes

Pierre-Marc Bouchard ended a five-game scoreless streak by scoring 3 minutes, 35 seconds into the game.
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