Minnesota Wild vs. Edmonton Oilers: Game Recap

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However, the Wild survived their typical lull, to jump on the power play opportunities and the sellout crowd of 18,449 watched Mikko Koivu and Matt Cullen earn their new deals tonight, putting the game out of reach.

Tonight's win gave the Wild their 14th consecutive home win over Edmonton, and they improve to 9-0-1 in home openers, and gave them their seventh home game with four or more power play goals.That success on the power play and the penalty kill will have to continue if the Wild are going to fight for a playoff spot.

The season has finally begun. The crowd was into it, and four goals certainly helped. We'll see you Saturday for the Blue Jackets.

Bryan's take:

The Wild looked good tonight, and some members of the media were giving them credit with a full 60 minutes, but Todd Richards was quick to disagree. He said "I think we came out good in the first, but we came out slow in the second, for the first ten or fifteen minutes. Our power play certainly made up for that." He said that the special teams are the key to winning games, and that the Wild won that "game within the game."

Cullen played an amazing hockey game tonight, getting the goal and an assist. Richards pointed out when the coaches would ask "Who got that play, or who made that chance, it always came back that 7 (Cullen) was there." Clearly, his presence on the ice, and specifically his ability to win the big face off at the big moments is key, saying "It makes it a lot easier when you have the puck."

All in all, a good effort. Not a full 60 minute effort, but enough to pull out a win. A couple garbage goals in close, in the high percentage areas and the Wild pulled out four power play goals. The team defense played well, what the coach called "smart hockey," allowing the forwards to play their game, making everything click at the right time.

With the penalty kill saving the Wild's skin several times in the first period, holding the Oilers to just one power play goal on seven tries. This is clearly the result of bringing in some depth at the forward ranks and allowing four lines to roll, even when a man down. John Madden and Eric Nystrom both played very good defensive games, and contributed a major part of this victory.

So. An amazing power play effort, equaled by the penalty kill, a great game from the leaders of the team, including a 24 save performance from Niklas Backstrom who looked solid all night. Everything worked out for the Wild tonight, but the pessimist in me says that this effort against the Red Wings or Sharks, and the Wild get steam rolled. A good night, a win, still things to work on.

Notes:

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars:

Five Questions: