Wild Get Capitalized, Lose 3-2 in a Shootout

The scoring started with a power play goal from the reigning Hart and Rocket Richard trophy winner, Alexander Ovechkin. It was a pretty pass across the goal crease and Ovechkin had a wide-open net to shoot into, and he didn't miss. It was Washington's first shot on goal of the game.

Minnesota would regroup to tie the game at one late in the first period with a goal from Charlie Coyle. Mikko Koivu sent a centering pass out from behind the net to Zach Parise. The rebound would then find an untouched Coyle, who potted his first of the season. The Wild took a 12-5 shot advantage in to the locker room.

The third period ended with a Wild power play that was Oh-so-close to clinching the game as Parise had three good whacks at the puck in Holtby's crease before he was absolutely leveled with a cross check from behind that went uncalled. The power play would carry over in to the overtime period with the Wild on a 4-on-3 advantage. Unfortunately, the Wild could not "capitalize" (oh, the pun was very much intended). After some good chances and great saves from the goaltenders, the game would be decided by a shootout. The Wild haven't won a shootout yet this season, and tonight would prove to be difficult because Parise could not go. He blocked a shot from the point with his hand. He had an ice pack on his hand on the bench and was trying to give it a go. Yeo commented on Parise after the game, "Parise, you know he's in awful lot of pain. He's a competitor. He's a guy who's going to score goals but he's going to block shots too." Unfortunately, he couldn't go and Coyle would get denied in the last Wild attempt to end the game. Parise did say that he was ok after the game to reporters.

Numbers:

The Wild are 0-3 in shootouts this season.

Penalty kill was 2-for-3 against the best PP in the league. Power play was 1-for-3.

Harding faced 27 shots and stopped 25 for a .926 SV%

5 Questions:

1. Despite the slow start the Wild have had in the first period over the past few games, they've managed to pick up the pace and then come out with the W.  Can they keep that going tonight? They did start slow, but held a lead into the 3^rd period, but no. No they lose in a shootout and the win streak does not continue.

2. The Capitals lines are full of some amazing players.  Will our defense do what they can to prevent them from getting scoring chances as much as possible? They limited the Caps' shots through the first 2 periods and went 2-for-3 against the League's number 1 power play.

3. Harding has been amazing so far with a GAA and SV% that lead all the NHL right now.  Can he keep his hot streak going and prevent the Capitals from scoring when he can? Too bad he lost tonight, but he still played amazingly.

5. Relating to my previous question, can the Wild stay out of the box as much as possible tonight? They took only three penalties, but one of them cost them.