Minnesota Wild loses to Calgary at Xcel Energy Center

The Minnesota Wild had plenty of chances to score on Calgary, but they couldn’t make the chances count. The Wild had 39 shots on goal against the Flames on Sunday in front of a sold out and very vocal Xcel Energy Center, but could only get one through the pipes (that the ref didn't wave off!) and the Calgary Flames got two.  The loss pushed the Wild back in the Northwest Division standings and gave a glimpse to Wild fans of what this team is capable of doing when the numero uno spot is on the line.  

Let’s face it, this was a playoff type game, in front of a home crowd, there was no reason why the Wild should not have won. I don’t think the players gave it all they had (yeah, I am talking to you Pavol Demitra). The shots on goal may be 39, but most of them were not set-up in a way that would get past a talented NHL goalie like Miikka Kiprusoff. The Wild have got to turn up the intensity and skill level of setting up shots or they will have no chance of getting past the first round in the playoffs.