2009-10 Game Twenty-Three: Wild 1, Bruins 2 (SO)

The Minnesota Wild ran into another perfect storm at home against the Boston Bruins, something that has happened more times than they should be comfortable with. Not only were the Wild coming off of an extended break, but they were facing a Bruins team that was in the middle of a perfect road trip. Add to that the fact that the Wild had to play short-handed all game thanks to injuries and illnesses, and it amounted to a huge mountain to climb.

Well, the Wild may not have climbed all the way up the mountain, but, in many ways, they made it out of the foothills. Even with all of the reasons that Minnesota shouldn't have been a presence in the game, they were able to sneak a point away, pushing the Bruins into the shootout. Minnesota even had numerous opportunities to win the game, especially late, but missed on chances at open nets and loose pucks, or in the shootout. Meanwhile, Boston looks to be regaining some of their form from last season, when they lead the Eastern Conference in points.

Game pluses:
- Andrew Ebbett. Ebbett became the newest person to play a game in a Wild sweater, joining the team off of waivers, and he made an immediate impact. His size could hurt him, but right now the Wild need goal scorers.
- Defense. The Wild were able to keep the Bruins from putting 20 shots on goal. Too bad they couldn't do more with the chances they had.
- Mikko Koivu. The Wild's captain entered the shootout, and dropped the puck into the net. While he isn't a shootout guarantee, the Wild would still be pretty happy if they could just have him take all three shots, since the rest of their options are having problems finishing.

Game minuses:
- Undressed. The total salaries of players who missed the game for Minnesota is close to $18M, and that number doesn't look to be going down drastically anytime in the near future. The Wild have already faced adversity, but they need some luck on their side, and some players need to return from injury as soon as possible.
- Kyle Brodziak. The Wild forward has been playing hard as of late, but a foolish penalty late in the game almost cost Minnesota the one point they did get in the standings.
- Slow start. The Wild got off to a rough start, getting pinned back into their zone early in the game. However, they were able to weather the storm, and get their own chances. The game could have been off to a much worse start.

Next up: The Wild didn't play on Thanksgiving Day, but they'll return to work the day after, in the first part of a home-and-home series with the Colorado Avalanche.