Wild Acquire Bryzgalov, With Backstrom Shut Down
The Minnesota Wild traded for goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov on Tuesday in conjunction with their decision to shut down ailing veteran Niklas Backstrom.
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The Minnesota Wild traded for goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov on Tuesday in conjunction with their decision to shut down ailing veteran Niklas Backstrom.
Jared Spurgeon's power-play goal in the third period helped the Minnesota Wild notch their season-high fifth straight win, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
The Minnesota Wild were concerned how the Olympic break might affect their momentum. So far, no problem. Justin Fontaine's goal in the seventh round of the shootout gave the Minnesota Wild a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night.
Darcy Kuemper made 21 saves to earn his second career shutout and the Minnesota Wild returned from the Olympic break with a 3-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired defenseman Brian Connelly from the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday in exchange for forward Brad Winchester.
It's an exciting and a bit of a strange time for the Minnesota Wild, who are ready to make a push in the final 23 games, but are unsure of who will be available off the injured list.
Jamie Benn scored in the second period, Carey Price made 31 saves, and Canada beat the United States 1-0 Friday night in the semifinals of the Olympic men's hockey tournament. Canada advanced to the gold-medal match Sunday against Sweden, which beat Finland 2-1 in the earlier semifinal at Bolshoy Ice Dome.
It's three-plus hours south of the Xcel Energy Center. Des Moines Iowa hardly strikes you as a hockey hot bed, but it's the ideal partner for the Minnesota Wild.
The Minnesota Wild were reeling as last year ended. Star Zach Parise was on injured reserve. Coach Mike Yeo's job was in jeopardy.
Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu decided his surgically repaired right ankle has not healed enough to allow him to play for Finland in the Olympics. Koivu, who had surgery after fracturing his right ankle while blocking a shot on Jan. 4, has been out the past 15 games for Minnesota heading into the Olympic break.
Nino Niederreiter's goal with 2:44 left in overtime lifted Minnesota to a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night, the fifth straight home win for the Wild.
The Minnesota Wild have acquired forward Curt Gogol from the San Jose Sharks for forward Chad Rau in a trade of minor leaguers. San Jose general manager Doug Wilson announced the move Wednesday, ahead of the team's home game against the Dallas Stars. The Sharks had lost four of their last five. Rau has one goal and six assists in 33 games this season for the AHL's Iowa Wild. He has two goals in nine career NHL games for Minnesota. He will report to the Worcester affiliate.
Darcy Kuemper made 34 saves, Jared Spurgeon had two assists in his return from injury and the Minnesota Wild defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Tuesday night.
The Wild take on Tampa Tuesday night in a dash to the Olympic break. Keith Ballard came home in the off season to try and help solidify a group of defensemen that is a blend of veterans and youth.
Mikko Koivu's return to the Minnesota Wild likely won't come until after the Olympics, leaving his availability for Finland during the Winter Games in question. Koivu broke his right ankle Jan. 4 when he was hit by a puck and had surgery to accelerate the recovery. The captain and first-line center has resumed skating, but Wild coach Mike Yeo told reporters after practice Monday that Koivu's availability for the last two games before the Olympics break was "highly in doubt."
