Saturday’s 2-0 win over Los Angeles
Posted on March 15th, 2008 – 6:36 PMBy Michael Russo
Wild technically is back in first in the Northwest. Yes, Minnesota’s tied with Colorado with 84 points, but the Wild’s played one fewer game, which gives them the tiebreaker.
That makes Monday night a “Showdown for First Place” — the first of about 10 times we’ll get to say that during what’s bound to be a final three weeks where emotions fluctuate dramatically.
The Wild shut out the worst team in the NHL — at least based on points — tonight. It was a blue-collar effort in which guys like Stephane Veilleux and Branko Radivojevic were the stars.
Brian Rolston and Marian Gaborik might have gotten the goals tonight, but this game was about the unsung guys.
For instance, how about the play of defensemen Martin Skoula and Kurtis Foster? Skoula only got 17 1/2 minutes, but it looked to me like he was out there every shift lugging the puck up ice. Foster played 20:15, had four shots and had a number of big chip-outs in the third period.
Wild’s power play is still brutal — 2 for its last 30 overall and 0 for 18 in the last five home games — but the penalty kill was stellar tonight, led by guys like Veilleux, Radivojevic, Rolston. The PK was 5 for 5.
Niklas Backstrom made big saves — 24 in all — for his first shutout since the third game of the season.
Like many opposing goalies recently, Kings 26-year-rookie Erik Ersberg had all the answers for the Wild in the first 30 minutes. But moments after Backstrom robbed Alexander Frolov with a left pad, Rolston banged twice at Pierre-Marc Bouchard’s rebound for a 1-0 lead.
“Mikko was on our line and I told him, ‘Get it to the net and lets grind away. We’re going to get a garbage goal,’” Rolston said. “I knew it would take a grinding goal to get us going.”
As you’ll see in the notebook, Gaborik’s got a shaved head. His girlfriend shaved it yesterday after he went for a haircut, came home, looked at the back in a mirror and saw there were patches missing.
He’s getting torn to shreds by teammates — the most common being that he looks like Pavol Demitra’s “mini-me.”
Other tidbits:
– Gaborik’s goal, off a 2-on-1 late in the third with Brent Burns, iced the game and was his 36th of the season and 200th of his career.
– Rolston got his 27th goal and eighth winner, tying Gaborik’s franchise, single-season record.
– Backstrom’s 4-1-3 in his last eight starts and has a 1.81 GAA and .940 SP in that span.
– Pierre-Marc Bouchard has a five-game assists streak and got No. 47 tonight, one off Andrew Brunette’s team record.
– Mikko Koivu was tremendous tonight, won 13 of 19 draws and had an assist on Rolston’s winner.
– The Wild’s last seven wins were by one goal. This was their first by more than a goal since Feb. 2.
– The Wild’s scored three or fewer goals in 13 straight games.
– The Wild is 7-0-2 in its past nine against the Kings.
– The Minnesota chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association has selected Voros as the Wild’s Bill Masterton Trophy nominee. Remember, five years ago, Voros had a tumor behind his left knee half the size of a baseball. He needed six operations, had part of his femur removed and was bed-ridden for eight weeks. He’s come a long way, and was a presence in front of the net tonight.
– Derek Boogaard was very close to playing tonight instead of Voros, but the Wild will hold Boogaard off at least one more game.
– Benoit Pouliot was in the lineup, got 6:22 of ice time and I thought he looked pretty good.
– Big win because eighth-place Vancouver won, putting the Canucks two points behind the Wild. Ninth-place Nashville beat Detroit, putting the Preds four behind the Wild.
134 Responses to "Saturday’s 2-0 win over Los Angeles"
If the Wild lose tonight….they will miss the playoffs. It tells me they have given up. But…I expect the Wild to come out on fire and win by more than one goal.
If the Wild lose tonight….they will miss the playoffs.
I don’t agree about the give up part but, at some point, the numbers start working against you when you are not getting 2 at home.
On the plus side, DAL narrows it to 3-1 - Oh Yeah!
BeantownChris - you have to have HD Net tonight - lame for CI investors!
Is the game not on TV? Can’t find it on Center Ice, NHL Network, or anything!!!
Uggggg stupid Comcast! I would gladly pay extra to get HDNet.
Guess it’s XM for me tonight.
Luckily this game is on 830 tonight and not the sad sack FM backup. I still love my Comcast wirelss network but the TV side can be a hassle (esp. no CI HD - ugh!)
It says on Wild.com that it’s on Comcast channel 420, but that’s a music channel for me
Since D&D are munching popcorn tonight I know that JL’s grandson was the flag kid tonight - may he be the Wild’s good luck charm - Oh Yeah!
Me too Phil - Adult Top 40 = yuck
I don’t have a channel 420. Channel lineups are different across the country.
Minnesota chaper of the Professional Hockey Writers Association
Whats a ‘chaper’? 
Ugh….. was looking forward to watching the game tonight too…. Not on DirecTV either except on the HDChannel
The game AFAIK is only on HD Net.
I hear ya Adam…I’ve been trying to track it down on the Sopcast, but no such luck.. F’ing HDNET, it says the only places that are carrying it is Joe Sensors and some place in Minneapolis…this whole not brodcasting games is pure, abject BS!
Modano scored for the Stars score now 3-2 Vancouver
DAL 2 - VAN 3 in 2nd
this whole not brodcasting games is pure, abject BS!
esp. in March!
Sounds like the Kings came to play. Wild have 6 sog to the Kings 2 at 12:13.
Indeed Adam…the Stars yanked whoever it was and put Turco in
Min pp
We look better 5 on 5 than the PP.
It’s funny, I’m watching Vancouver vs. dallas and listening to the Wild
Stars tie it!
Dallas just score 3-3 now!
Ho hum period — period!
DAL and VAN tied after 2
well, goodness, they really know how to tick off fans! FIrst they lose 5 straight then they don’t broadcast! Gosh! I can’t believe it. It’s NOT fair for us lowly ones that can’t go games
Star play got hit in the face with puck then flew into the post with his face.. OUCH! skated off
VAN 4-3 on a lucky goal after lots of DAL PP time - 16:00 to go.
The Wild boo birds are beginning to gather!
You got it, Bill.
C’mon, these guys are last in the league and we can’t get anything going. Boring, uninspired, blah blah blah.
not missing much if you can’t watch. A really blah blah game.
ROlston!
Finally some action. That a way Rolston.
LA PP
GO WILD GOOO WILD!!! I love you
When is Backstrom gonna give up his perfunctory softie?
SOG WIld 23, LA 14
That was a strong second period for the Wild. They didn’t go to sleep as they have so many times this season. Lets hope they can add a couple and finish them off for a change!
For those listening on the radio or internet. Here is a good link for game info:
http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/gamecenter/live/NHL_20080315_LA@MIN
Vancouver 4 Dallas 3…49 seconds left.
“In attempting to free himself, Pronger carelessly and recklessly brought his foot down,” said Colin Campbell, NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations.
WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP…
How’s Poulliot been playing?
That was not just bringing his foot down. Colin Campbell is a great example of the incompetence in the NHL offices.
I suppose the reason there is no tv is because the WCHA playoffs are on one channel, the State HS BB Girls tournament is on a channel, the Gopher mens BB team was on earlier, etc.
No place to put them tonight.
Not the Wilds fault.
It will be tough the rest of the way in, no point in getting crabby if the Wild donot claw themselves up the rock quickly enough.
Poulliot hasn’t made a big impact for better or worse. He’s got a shot or two, no penalties and is eating up a minute here and there. Probably all we can expect but not all we can hope for.
He’s got about 5 min on the ice…
thanks for the Poulliot report, Rogue.
Is Gabby out there tonight?
rogue, you getting it on HD NET?
Gabby TOI about 12 mins..
Thanks Cam.
Gabby!
Gabby GOAL….Wild 2 LA 0
Is guess Gabby IS out there!! Finally.I thought for sure he would pass.
Wild win 2-0, now take care of business on St. Patty’s day!
PREDICTED THREE STARS
First Star: Gaborik (GWG, 3 Shots) 200th GOAL
Second Star: Backstrom (24 Saves/SO)
Third Star: Rolston (1G, 4 Shots)
Great to finally get a win.
Finally a win. Gotta keep it going. Avs in here Monday and we can pull even with a W.
YEAH!!!!
I think we’re in the lead via tie-break now aren’t we?
Rolston had game winner! Koivu and him best players tonight. Gabby did nothing until the goal.
Was slightly off…
1.Backs 2. Rolston 3. Gaborik
Can’t wait till tomorrows game…GO WILD!
Cam,
How do you figure Gaby with the GWG?
Who’s playing tomorrow?
My bad…Rolston had the GWG.
Much needed two points. It is not how, or that they did not do it pretty enough. Two points is two points.
Colorado at Wild 6pm
Phoenix at Canucks 9pm
Exactly Iceman, pretty didn’t get them two points it got them overtime losses to the leagues worst.
I don’t think you’re looking at tomorrow Cam.
Yippie 2 points and we didn’t have to give one to LA to get the 2.
Calgary does lose to Chicago tomorrow, that’s nice…
Cam those games are Monday. You had me thinking today was Sunday already.
Thanks RG…those are Monday’s games.
Tommorrow is:
Flyers at Penguins (NBC) 11am
Flames at Chicago 2pm
Bruins at Captials 2pm
Sens at Hurricanes 2pm
Red Wings at Blue Jackets 2pm
Thrashers at Panthers 4pm
Oilers at Sharks 7pm
Sorry about that…
Gophers win an OT game. First time all year I believe.
If nobody noticed, Nashville beat Red Wings.
Uggggg stupid Comcast
If at all possible, meaning you don’t live in an apartment or a forest, seriously consider moving to directv. especially if you have HD. It is superior to cable.
Was I the only cat at the game tonight that didn’t go to the parade and hit the bars after? holy shat there were some people having “fun” tonight. I’ll be selling my tickets next season if it falls on st patrick’s parade day.
LA sits back and lets you bring the play to them. I thought we had good chances and didn’t give up too many. Not a thrilling game though. I think the #10 goal was the only odd man rush of the night.
SRV was on his game i thought.
did fedoruk get hurt or pined when he skouba’d the puck and then took a hooking penalty?
G* It probably was a combination of both regarding Fedoruk. Voros played pretty well I thought so he might of got some of his icetime also. It was interesting to see the few shifts of Benny centering the groin twins.
G*, if you were at the game, why are you upset at Comcast? just curious.
i’m not phil. someone else was earlier, hence the italics, and i suggested DTV to cure their ills
Your’e right Phil- even w/ Avs.. that game is on VS in HD Monday. We will have to play better to beat the Avs than we did tonight against lowly LA, IMO.
DTV is the only way to go.
Fun night at the X, livened up by more than a few St. Patrick’s partiers who started drinking green beer sometime around noon. Saw two guys go away in handcuffs.
Gabby’s goal was a thing of beauty…used Demo as a decoy, then fired a rocket over Esberg’s shoulder and up under the crossbar. Got a nice sanding ovation during the next TV timeout for career goal #200, and did a nice job of acknowledging the fans.
And yes, Direct TV is the way to go, which I’ve said on here before. The $149 I spend for Center Ice is the best money I spend all year, and with NHL network thrown in, it should be required for any serious fan…And I think right now you can buy the rest of the season and first two rounds of the playoffs for something like $59…chump change.
If you’re a ticketholder Monday, don’t forget the early start.
Thanks G*, got it, guess it didn’t dawn on me about the italics
Word has it the boys didn’t take the 2nd, or any period off, so (I realize it was LA) maybe they’ve turned a corner?…fingers crossed
Just got home from the bar after the game. The Wild might not have taken the second period off, but they didn’t look very good either. Okay win, considering it was against a bottom-feeder. First period was good. Second was okay. Third was good, mainly because they didn’t let up, like usual. Not quite a solid 60 minutes, but getting closer.
The best analogy I could come up wih for last night’s game is:
You want a bag of ’sliders’ from White Castle, and you work fairly hard to get there, and you find at the end you only have money for two…that is what last night’s game felt like. The Wild worked fairly hard, and won, but it was only mildly satisfying. You could feel it especially in the mid-2nd period, when the Wild took the collective foot somewhat off the gas pedal. In order to win the division, however, they need to keep that foot on the gas the entire game…
And let me echo what Goalieguy said a few posts back. NHL Center Ice is the ‘must-have’ for any Wild fan. This is my first full season with it, and guess what I’m watching most nights and weekends? The playoff chase..today: Calgary at Chicago, 2 PM this afternoon…
I third the cheer for CI - although Comcast has yet to add the HD component or throw in NHL Network for free. Given the parity nature of the league I agree CI is a must have. Today’s CGY v. CHI game should be a lot of fun if the Hawks that came to the X show up.
WRT- CI is indeed awesome. I especially like the late West Coast tilts-get the little ones to bed, crack a brew, and watch Hd puck w/no distractions. Good as it gets…
I am really happy that Benoit Pouliot is playing, I have always been a fan.
Just caught Gabby on with Sid, and granted it was a Sid interview, but when asked about a contract extension, Gabby once again said I have next year and then we will see. Coupled with his similar quotes at the All Star Game and interest in the East it seems unlikely that #10 will want to talk extension this summer. However, I do think a big offseason for a team with a decent amount of cap space could change this so the question really becomes what can DR do.
OK - I must be the only one doing some work this fine Sunday AM but I will be off the Monday afternoon for St. Patrick’s Day revelry and the Wild game!
Noticed this from the East side - not too shabby since SOs are not counted:
(Backstrom) has a 1.88 goals-against average and .940 save percentage over his past eight starts
no work but i am prepping for vegas flight tomorrow and springsteen tonight.
caught a little of #10 on sid’s show. I don’t know if I can read into #10’s comments anymore. i don’t think he knows anymore than anyone else what will happen this summer.
Sid is old and senile. just had to throw that in. souhan called simon and axe murderer on sunday sports talk and reiterated his desire for simon to be tossed from the league. it’s like simon banged souhan’s boy/girl friend.
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I think DR will want to know from Gabby is: Will you sign with us again or do you want to test the market?
He has to get some answer or hint this summer. If not, next season is going to play havoc with the whole team because it will be Hossa all over. I hope Gabby is mature enough to not want to go through the Hossa situation either.
8* he started pregame post at 6:36 and updated after game.
Boston Globe reports that Manny is back at practice - he thinks he now has the kneee right - and notes that Vincent Lecavalier will be next season’s Hossa if a new deal is not done this summer - http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2008/03/16/feeling_like_a_new_manny/?page=1
The real question is what is the dollar value on Gabby? In my opinion he is a 7 million dollar guy. The max in the NHL right now is 10 million I believe. There are only a couple guys that are really worth the max becuase they make the other guy’s on the team better plus they are point getters. AO, Crosby, Malkin, Vinny L., Iginla, Thornton, Brodeur. If the Wild have to pay more than 7 million a year in today’s cap space league. They will need to trade him and build around someone else. I like him as a player but everyone has there value and this is his.
3 straight nights at the X–and I am in same section for Bruce as for the Wild (not same seats though). Go Black Hawks.
Hossa gets his first as a Pen wooooo. 5-1
No offense to Kevin in PA, but does NBC stand for ‘Next Blowout Coming’? Or, is it ‘Nothing But Crosby’?
6-1 Pens, why won’t they use their ‘Flex’ capability and show someone else? Like, the Wild?
Oh, wait, we’re not in the Atlantic Division, are we?? 
Bill-we are all dumber after reading you post. Thanks.
Bill-we are all dumber after reading your post. Thanks.
The game they should have on today is the flames vs. hawks. It’s going to be a good one. I’m glad I’ve got CI.
Colt, Just giving my thoughts on it. Do you have any thoughts about his value?
Colt45 - this blog is lammer x2 with your “contribution”
No. I just wanted to call someone dumb today. Thanks.
lammer? nice
Bill - at 7 per, how many years would you be willing to go?
Does anyone have a url that would have the Flames-Hawks game on this afternoon?
Anyone else see that Kyle Okposo will be making his NHL debut Tuesday night against the Leafs.
Islanders organization is really excited. Tickets for the game are 50% off.
I wonder if they are charging college students 75% above face value because they haven’t developed correctly.
Colt45 - you got me - say hi to Billy D for me
I’m on pins and needles waiting for Bill’s response………
Come on Bill, how many years would you be willing to go on Gaborik?
Bill?
Thanks Adam, This is what I was hoping for when I made the post. Someone to debate it or least discuss it with. I would go as much as 7.8 for about 6 years.
Bill - Based on the other contracts, I wonder if Gabby might be OK at 7.8 but look for 8 years.
Lapper - no CHI game on Yahoo at least
CGY PP goal in the first 2 minutes followed by Adam Burrish smoking Nystrom with a great punch.
Looking at other contracts they might have to pay high one year upfront then go down to the 7.5 to 7.8 range for the rest of the contract. I just don’t feel his game being worth max money for the major part of the deal. He’s still a young player. I wish he would put half as much energy into the D part of his game. I would take a few less goals from him if he backchecked more. Look at Rolston not as talented almost 10 years older about 8 less goals but can play in every situation. Plus he only cost us 2.75. I know he was a steel but man players like this are what a team needs to move up in the league.
That was a great punch!
Toews ties it!
Bill - it would be nice to Gabby on a contract that moves down as it goes.
1-1 Hawks score on the first shot of game for them.
Adam, Clicked on your name that’s funny.
The other big contracts that last 5 or more years seem to start high then go down over time.
Lapper: Re: Okposo…the Isles have nothing else to sell, BUT hope. They aren’t going to make it again this season. Hope is all they have. granted, the Isles don’t really care if they screw their Bridgeport AHL farm club by bringing him up, but then again, when it comes to Okposo, when have they cared about anyone else but themselves, anyway?
I should drink more Kool-Aid in regards to a Gabby contract extension I guess - Gabby will resign at a fair price - Oh Yeah!
No offense taken, WRT. I wouldn’t have minded if NBC had done a different game, to be honest. I didn’t like getting up early today to get to the arena.
WRT: That’s true…hope is all they have. Kyle will only play 9 games, so his contract will not kick in until next season.
If you check out the Isle’s TV website, there’s a “Breaking News Story”, interviews with Ted Nolan, the AHL coach, Kyle Mic’d up…lots of coverage on Kyle.
I couldn’t think of anything more creative to say, so I just blurted that college line out. Not too much thought went into it I know, but I had to get a shot at the Islanders Brass in there.
I wish Kyle nothing but the best, and I know he will be a great NHL’er.
Here’s to his new challenge, and hopefully a long and fruitful career. Cheers!!
Iginla makes it 2-1 - another early in the period goal for the Flames
Iginla scores on a breakaway–Flames lead
3 - 1 Flames on a Husalieus (sp?) goal. Good thing you didn’t trade Dupris for him DR!
If the word came to an end, there would still be Iginla. And he would rebuild it in his own image.
Glad to see the Wild get 2 points last night. I got all kinds of strange looks midway through the first set when I checked ESPN mobile on my phone to get the final… 
WRT…see ya tomorrow night. Our last game b4 the playoffs. That’s right, I said PLAYOFFS. I clicked on Adam’s name and got me a big dose of Rock-A-Dile Red!
word should have been world…sheesh
food
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