Minnesota Wild @ Phoenix Coyotes: Game Recap

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The Wild are often, and fairly, mocked for their lack of offense. Coming into tonight's game, the Wild were dead last in the NHL in scoring. Leaving tonight's game, they will very likely still be dead last in the NHL in scoring, but at least they will have shown they are capable of scoring goals in bunches.

Coming into the second, fans here at Hockey Wilderness were feeling pretty good. The Wild were not playing perfectly, but they were playing good hockey, and had a lead on the road against a hot Phoenix team. Despite the fact that the Wild carried a penalty kill over to the new period, the momentum felt as though it were all on the side of the visiting team.

The third period fell into a defensive posture for the Wild, but the Coyotes would add a second goal on a freak bounce off the stanchion that caught Backstrom off guard. The NHL is going to need to show some proof that the seamless glass was causing problems, because the bounces the puck takes in too many situations are just ridiculous.

The end of the game would get interesting as the Coyotes took a penalty late as they tried to pull LaBarbera, but Cullen would match the stupidity, resulting in 4-on-4 hockey. The Yotes would yank the goalie and Kieth Yandle would beat Backstrom glove side on a very stoppable shot. The Coyotes would pin the Wild for nearly a minute to end the game, but they would escape with the win.

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