Preseason Game Five: Minnesota 3, Buffalo 2

This time, the Wild didn't need to wait for overtime. After amassing three goals in the first period, courtesy of Antti Miettinen, Owen Nolan, and the returning Brent Burns, the Minnesota defense was able to hang on, giving them the victory over the visiting Sabres. In fact, it looked like it would be a strong two-goal victory, until a late, and potentially questionable, call against Krys Kolanos gave Buffalo an end-of-game powerplay. It wasn't until after they'd pulled goaltender Ryan Miller that they eventually scored, bringing them within one. Fortunately for Minnesota fans, the last goal happened with under one second remaining in the game.

Last night's game was a triumphant return from injury for both Burns and Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who demonstrated his playmaking abilities on the Nolan goal. Unfortunately, for Minnesota, there was a scare in the third period, courtesy of the stick of Martin Skoula, which found its way into Josh Harding's facemask.

This could be bad for the Wild. Sure, the team is most likely looking to ride Backstrom as long as they can, but without a steady back-up, the goaltending could be in shambles. Backstrom is a strong goaltender when confident, but, shake him a bit, and he looks lost between the pipes. In those times last year, Harding was able to step in, help right the team, and get Backstrom some of that confidence back. Not that Harding was perfect in net, either, but he's definitely got a leg up on the third goaltender, Barry Brust. Brust has played in the NHL before, but he's something of a journeyman, and is likely being considered in case of serious injury to one of the top two netminders.

We'll learn more about the Harding injury in the next couple of days. In the meantime, the Wild have the day off, as they travel to Columbus for their six preseason game, before finishing out in the town that so many of their management played in; Montreal. Only nine more days before the Bruins come to the X.