Forgive my Duran Duran reference, but that song has been bouncing around my head for two days leading up to tonight’s match up between the Minnesota Wild and your Pittsburgh Penguins. The irony of the situation is that the hockey team from Minnesota is far from Wild. In fact, they are quite methodical in playing the defense first style employed by their head coach Jaques Lemaire. The same trapping style that was famously bashed by Penguins owner Mario Lemieux back in 2001.

As it was back in 2001, it is today…the Wild are a group of men who share one mindset -- stop the other team from scoring and capitalize upon mistakes that the trap creates. Make no mistake about the Wild’s ability to capitalize on those mistakes either; a look at their line-up will produce some very talented forwards. Even with the immensely talented Marian Gaborik out of the line-up with an unspecified injury, the Wild can come at you with Mikko Koivu, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen and promising youngsters James Sheppard and Benoit Pouliot.

The backbone of this team’s defensive success is its goaltender, Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom was an overnight sensation in the NHL after being signed by the Wild as a free agent on June 1, 2006. He went 23-8-0 in his first season posting a GAA of 1.97 and an S% of .927. The Finnish sensation went on to backstop 33 wins in his second season and is currently sitting at 10-3-1 on the year.

The Penguins have run into problems in the past when teams employ this style against them, though Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin led the team to a 4-2 victory in Minnesota last season.

The Penguins will get their first chance look at new acquisition Phillipe Boucher. Boucher will take Mark Eaton’s space in the line-up and will skate with Alex Goligoski. He will also be given a significant look on the power play, a position that the Penguins expect him to thrive in. His right-handed shot should look great on the point of whatever unit he is employed with.

Dany Sabourin will get the start for the Penguins, who will be without the services of Marc Andre Fleury to an undisclosed injury. In Fleury’s absence, the team has recalled John Curry, who will serve as the back-up to Sabourin.

Game Notes:

The Penguins are 7-2-1 over their last 10 games, while Minnesota is 6-4-0.

The Penguins are 2-5-1 all-time versus the Wild, including a 1-3-0 record on home ice. The Wild have outscored the Penguins 28 to 15 in eight career games.

Prior to last season's victory in Minnesota, the Penguins had lost four straight against the Wild. Their last win came during Minnesota's inaugural season on Feb. 14, 2001, winning 2-1. The Penguins are 0-3 in their last three home games versus the Wild.

If Malkin registers an assist in tonight’s game he will tie Mario Lemieux for the second longest consecutive assists streak in franchise history. Lemieux recorded an assist in 14 consecutive games during the 1985-86 season. Jaromir Jagr holds the franchise record, recording an assist in 16 consecutive games during the 2000-01 season. Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record, tallying an assist in 23 consecutive games in the 1990-91 season.

Alex Goligoski has tallied 6 pts (1G 5A) over his last six games. Go Go currently ranks 6th among NHL rookies with 9 pts (4G 5A). The young defenseman is averaging 19:25 of ice time per game.

Matt Cooke has tallied a point in four straight games (1G 4A).

Niklas Backstrom has started 108 NHL games – allowing two goals or less 66 times, and three goals or less 94 times.

Mikko Koivu has gone three straight games without a point, a season-high. The Wild are 7-0-0 this season when Koivu scores and 19-4-3 all-time when Koivu has two or more points.


Penguins Youtube of the Day:




I will be live at Mellon Arena bringing you all of the action...please join me as I share thoughts and commentary throughout!

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Through the first two minutes of action, the Penguins have generated some nice pressure. They have been able to penetrate the Wild's zone and have worked the puck around. They haven't put many shots on the net just yet, but it is good to see them working it down low. Nik Backstrom has already stopped play two times...something that can be a very effective tool when trying to disrupt the offensive flow...

* * * * *

Evgeni Malkin's line just produced several nice opportunities. They cycled the puck around the Minnesota zone and Malkin bounced off of several checks.

* * * * *

Malkin has probably been the best Penguin thus far. He seems to have some hop in his step and has been around the puck during every shift. According to Michel Therrien post game on Saturday night, Malkin is a very confident hockey player right now.

He was asked if Malkin sometimes doesn't realize how good he really is, and he answered:

"I think he knows...he's a very confident hockey player right now," with a wry smile.

* * * * *

The Wild picked up sort of a fluky goal off of a faceoff in the Penguins zone. Mikko Koivu was going up against Mike Zigomanis and knocked the puck forward...it took an awkward bounce and trickled past Sabourin. They have awarded the goal to Andrew Brunette, but I am not sure that will hold up. It almost looked like it should go to Koivu. Time will tell...

The Penguins answered almost immediately with a bit of a fluky goal of their own. Jordan Staal threw a backhand shot at the net, which Matt Cooke grabbed and buried. He made a little move and knocked it home.

1-1

* * * * *

Jordan Staal is still riding a serious wave of confidence. He looks so much stronger on the puck than he did early in the season. He just used his size to power out from behind the net, bounced a defender off of his backside and did a quick little backhand forehand move to throw a shot on net. Nice little shot in close that Backstrom kicked away, but it was something he wouldn't have pulled off a month ago.

* * * * *

The Wild will get the first power play of the night. Letang was whistled for tripping...

* * * * *

Geno Malkin just got in behind the defense, but was cutting in at a tight angle and couldn't beat Nik Backstrom. Geno showed a nice burst getting in alone though...

The Minnesota goal has indeed been changed...they have credited it to Mikko Koivu as I had suspected that they would.

After one period the two teams are tied at 1. It wasn't a very flashy period to say the least, aside from the shifts that Evgeni Malkin put in (and he was being held up pretty well by Minnesota defenders), the period was a mish mash of back and forth action. The play was a lot like a tennis match, but with half of the excitement.

I just shocked myself in seeing that each team posted 9 shots in the period. I would lost if you asked to answer over or under 15 shots in the period.

Each team has posted 6 hits and the Pens are way ahead in the faceoff circle winning 63% of the draws. Jordan Staal is leading the way in that department after winning all 3 attempts, followed by Mike Zigomanis who has won 67% of his attempts.

Second period on the way...

* * * * *

The Wild just had their first taste of sustained pressure in the Penguins zone, but came away empty. They cycled around and Pierre Marc Bouchard walked out in front with some speed and created a nice scoring opportunity for himself.

The Penguins answered a strong chance for Sidney Crosby's line. Crosby carried the puck into the zone, and after getting himself turned around made a pass to Max Talbot breaking down the slot. Max hesitated a moment and then got of a shot that Backstrom gloved down and covered.

* * * * *

Jordan Staal just dropped the mitts with Erik Reitz. Staal surprised in landing about 4 hay makers on the side of Reitz's head. It wasn't a true knock down drag out, but Staal definitely held his own and may have gotten the better of Reitz in this one.

* * * * *

Dany Sabourin just pulled the old "Mike Richter Plexiglas trick." The Wild just hit the post behind him on three occasions during on exchange and at least two of them looked like they hit something aside from post in staying out of the net. Somehow the game remains tied 1-1.

* * * * *

Pierre Marc Bouchard is a great playmaker. I haven't really gotten the opportunity to watch him play much during his career...I knew he was very good with the puck and had some speed, but he is really standing out tonight. He is making plays by keeping his feet moving, a little side step this way or that, and he opens up a great passing lane. He is great offensive instincts. Great to watch...

* * * * *

The Penguins got their first power play and were unsuccessful. Sorry for the delay, but I lost my internet connection! Boucher looks like a very nice addition to the team in that regard. He got some time with the second unit and got the puck to the net often! He also has a big shot from the point...

Evgeni Malkin has gone to the locker room for some stitch work, he took a puck to the face, possibly the mouth. He left with a towel held to his mouth...no blood on the ice though, which is a good sign.

* * * * *

The Penguins had several opportunities late in the period, but were unable to beat Nik Backstrom, who has been sharp thus far. Sidney Crosby had several opportunities and has come close to getting in alone on the Wild goaltender.

Andrew Brunette did his best impression of a statue on two occasions as time expired in the second. He was camped out to Sabourin's left and had two passes make it through to him, though not right in his wheel house. He made no movement in any direction and the puck skidded innocently away from the goal.

After two, we are still deadlocked at 1-1, though each team got some great opportunities during the period. The game has still not picked up the excitement factor, though it is getting there.

The Penguins are now leading in shots 18-17. They have lost their edge in the faceoff dot and the draws are now split 50-50. The hits are just about even as well, with the Penguins holding a 14-12 edge.

Overall it has been a fairly evenly matched game thus far, with each goaltender making some big stops to keep the game tied. Will the flood gates open in the third period?

* * * * *

Evgeni Malkin is back on the ice with his teammates. That's a hockey player for you!

* * * * *

The Wild are starting to make some noise around the Penguins net, but Dany Sabourin has been up to the challenge. The two teams also seem to be getting a little chippy...

* * * * *

The Penguins power play will get the chance to break the tie. Andrew Brunette was just whistled for hooking.

* * * * *

The Penguins worked the puck around the Minnesota zone for almost the entire two minutes, but were not able to beat Backstrom. In fact, they probably overpassed the puck, missing out on several opportunities.

* * * * *

The Wild have now gotten their chance with the extra man, as Dany Sabourin was called for delay of game. Tyler Kennedy is serving the time...

* * * * *

Each team has killed off a power play and gotten their chances, but this game is still deadlocked at 1-1. Shots are even at 21 and this one is still largely split down the middle. Very evenly matched game thus far with 9:41 remaining in regulation.

* * * * *

I will be heading to the rooms shortly...this one remains tied 1-1. 7:00 remaining in regulation.

Ruslan Fedotenko just got pulled down in the slot in front of the Wild net....Zidlicky whistled for interference. Pens back on the power play.

* * * * *

The Penguins are having trouble getting set up in the Minnesota zone, but there was a dynamic play made by Evgeni Malkin. The puck came off of the back boards and he donkey kicked it with the back of his right foot into the slot area, where Fedotenko put a shot on net.