Chalk Talk: The Dagger In Game 1

In last night's tragic 5-4 overtime loss, Minnesota had a golden chance to bury the Avalanche once and for all in the game. It was just the type of play where you thought "We're going to remember this one later, aren't we?", when the game ends.

*game ends*

Yep, we sure did. Let's dissect the play shall we?

Chalk Talk: How Does Matt Moulson Score?

Last week, the Wild acquired Matt Moulson in a trade with Buffalo. Prior to last year's lockout shortened season, Moulson had put four consecutive  30+ goal seasons on the board. That might be the quietest streak of consecutive 30+ goal seasons, you will ever come across.

Chalk Talk: Blame Defense, Not Backstrom

Last night, in an ugly display of defense by both teams, it was the Jets defeating the Wild 6-4 at MTS Centre last night. Now before you all sit there and try to say that Niklas Backstrom is terrible, please take a look at some of the goals that were scored on him last night.

Chalk Talk: Nino Niederreiter Is Pretty Good

During this past NHL Draft, Chuck Fletcher sent Cal Clutterbuck and the team's third round pick to the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Nino Niederreiter. The trade was hailed by both sides as a success as the Isles got a good checking forward (yeah...ok) and the Wild got a forward who needed a fresh start with a lot of upside.

Chalk Talk: How To Make Four Defenders Look Bad

Its late in the third. Ottawa tied up the game earlier on a power play after Jason Pominville took a stupid penalty. The Wild are desperately trying not to lose on back to back nights, after winning their last four games. 

So who do you call to get a big go ahead goal late in the game? Zach Parise? No. Pominville? No. Dany Heatley? Haha. 

Chalk Talk: The Evolution of Mikael Granlund

Last season Mikael Granlund made his much anticipated debut in a Wild sweater. His rookie season was far from what we hoped as the then 20 year old looked overwhelmed and only played 12 games in the lockout shortened season.

This year however, Granlund is an exact opposite. He entered the season on the third line after competing for the second line center position with Charlie Coyle and lost out (he was solid in the preseason but Coyle was equally as good). But an injury to Coyle moved Granlund up to the second line and he has yet to disappoint.