Gm # 43: Wild @ Red Wings (3/4)

Really, the only way to cap off that crazy of a day was with a game as crazy as that one. The Wild beat the Red Wings (so right away you know it was crazy) 6-5 on Gaby's first SO goal (9th attempt). In the process, the zaniness piled up.

*Martin Skoula played arguably his best game in a Wild sweater. Scoring a goal, going +2, 0 PIM, at least one great defensive play and no major/obvious brain cramps.

*Todd Fedoruk scored a goal. 'Nuff said.

*Nik Backstrom was terrible, giving up four goals all of which he made mistakes on.

*Josh Harding replaced Nik about mid-way through the game and was stupendous in earning the win.

*Chris Osgood was extremely pedestrian.

*The Wild, so prone to scoring the big goal but giving up a momentum-sucking, back-breaking goal right away this season, turned the tables and did it to the Wings after Detroit took the lead with 1:08 remaining in regulation.

Weird, right?

I'm not even that upset about the five goals against. I mean, in the previous two games against the Red Wings this season the Wild had given up 9 goals, so another five is status quo. The Wild showed they could skate with the best team in the league for one night, and certainly showed they could score with them. No, you can't count on goals from Skoula and Fedoruk all the time, but that's what "scoring depth" means.

The Wild are in Chicago tonight to take on a hurting Blackhawks team. Hopefully they can continued their inspired play from last night and finish this road trip 0.500.

Season series
Overall: Wild trail 1-2-0 (GF 7, GA 14)
In Minny: Wild trail 0-1-0 (GF 1, GA 4)
In Detroit: tied 1-1-0 (GF 6, GA 10)

CHICKEN LITTLE SAYS: You're living dangerously when you need six goals to win a game.

POLLYANNA SAYS: Lots of good stories from this one.

BOTTOM LINE: Two points from a fun game to watch.

STUD: Harding was the saviour last night.

DUD: Backstrom made things considerably more difficult than they needed to be.

NiNY