2009-10 Game Twenty-Six: Wild 5, Predators 4 (OT)

The recent string of points gained by the Minnesota Wild can largely be attributed to a couple of things. First, the players that have been with the team all season long are starting to understand the new system, and few show that as well as Mikko Koivu. Second, the new acquisitions brought in by Chuck Fletcher are coming in with fire, something to prove, and some good puck awareness.

In a game where the Wild got their first three-goal first period of the season, and then turned in such an awful second period that they started giving the game away, the pieces all fell together in the end, with long-time Wild players and guys that have only been with Minnesota for a few weeks keying off of each other for a big win in a tightly played game. Of course, this recent surge is going to make things harder on some players once the team recovers from it's injuries, as some of the new guys might be making some other players previously considered "safe" into tradeable commodities.

Game pluses:
- Guillaume Latendresse. Since being traded, Latendresse has barely even been able to practice with his new team. He's still been putting together some great hockey, with a strong forecheck, a decent shot, and physical play. His goal against the Predators was the result of great patience, and, if it hadn't been for hitting three posts in the game, he would have been able to score more, including a great chance at the end of the third period.
- Andrew Ebbett. Another player that felt he had something to prove, Ebbett has been big recently, scoring the Wild's only goal against Boston, getting the shootout clincher against Colorado, and scooping up Latendresse's rebound in overtime for the winning goal against Nashville. Imagine what might have been if the Wild had claimed him the first time he was on waivers.
- Mikko Koivu. Heck, the dance after his power play goal alone would have landed him here. Koivu is playing some of his best hockey right now, and he's leading a Wild team that suddenly looks like they're surging in the standings.

Game minuses:
- Niklas Backstrom. The Wild's netminder had a very atypical game against the Predators, giving up goals that normally would be easy saves. The most glaring example came on Jason Arnott's second goal of the game.
- Returning players. Antti Miettinen aside, and the players who found themselves back in the line-up for Minnesota did not have great games. Neither Marek Zidlicky nor Kim Johnsson had good puck movement in the defensive end, and Martin Havlat looked like he was still struggling with his hamstring issues, limiting his mobility.
- Second period. After playing a strong first period, the Wild shut down in the second, only putting three shots on goal. Not good, considering they had found weaknesses in the Nashville defense during the first twenty minutes, and simply needed to continue exploiting them.

Next up: The Wild look to continue their points streak on Friday night, taking on the Anaheim Ducks.