Watch CBS News
Alright Wild fans, it's time to get our boys back to their winning ways. That trip out to the west coast did not pan out like fans or the team would have liked it to, but with the State of Hockey behind them, I'm sure the Wild is ready to get back at it.
The Los Angeles Kings spent much of the afternoon trapped in their own end while the Minnesota Wild pelted them with 41 shots. Thanks to Jonathan Quick and two more timely contributions from That 70s Line, the Kings are still perfect on their homestand.
After 44 frustrating minutes of scoreless hockey against the stingy Minnesota Wild, only one thought came to Andrew Cogliano when he broke in alone on goalie Darcy Kuemper. "Yeah, I'd better score now," the speedy Ducks forward said. Cogliano did it, and Corey Perry did it again later in the Ducks' dynamic third-period rally.
Even though it's the middle of October and snow isn't on the ground (yet), hockey season is officially here. In Minnesota, the Wild is off to a 2-0 start and has yet to allow a goal, shutting out Colorado 5-0 in its home opener and then going to Colorado last Saturday and winning 3-0.
The Minnesota Wild have brought back another former player for a job in the organization, hiring Richard Park as a player development coach. The appointment was announced Tuesday for Park, whose responsibilities will include working with players with the affiliate Iowa Wild in the AHL.
WOW! That is the only word I have to describe how the Wild pulled off two shutouts in a row against the Colorado Avalanche -- a team that won the Central Division last year, a team we faced in the first round of the playoffs, a team we had to battle to beat in game 7 at their rink in overtime! To say I'm impressed with how this year's Wild team has started the season would be the understatement of the year.
The Minnesota Wild have signed defenseman Jonas Brodin to a six-year contract extension. The deal was announced Sunday.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 30 shots for his second straight shutout of high-scoring Colorado and Jason Zucker scored his first goal since January, helping the Minnesota Wild beat the Avalanche 3-0 on Saturday night.
The Wild simply outplayed the Colorado Avalanche all night long. They were faster, better with the puck and a lot of fun to watch. Nobody saw that shutout coming.
The Minnesota Wild could not have started the season stronger. This game was so good they found themselves acknowledging afterward they probably won't be able to repeat it.
The Wild's post-season ended on May13 after a crazy overtime bounce in game six with Chicago. That's where they would love to pick it up this year with some new pieces added to a team with high expectations.
Minnesota is hardly a marquee place in major professional sports, a midsized market in the middle of the country best known on the coasts for the length and extremity of its winters. In the NHL, though, there's evidence mounting to the contrary. Thomas Vanek was the latest free agent to pick the Wild, two summers after Zach Parise and Ryan Suter jolted the league by coming as a package deal.
When we last saw the Minnesota Wild they were skating off the ice stunned after losing in overtime to Chicago 2-1 as the Blackhawks took the series in six games. While the sudden impact of the season being over may have hurt initially, fans could take solace in knowing that the Wild had their best playoff showing since their run to the Western Conference Finals in 2003.
The Minnesota Wild have set their active roster for the regular season by placing center Cody Almond and left wing Stephane Veilleux on waivers and right wing Justin Fontaine on injured reserve. The moves were made Monday, meaning rookie defensemen Matt Dumba and Christian Folin were on the team.
Mikko Koivu scored at 4:28 of overtime to lift the Minnesota Wild to a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues in the teams' preseason finale Saturday night.
