Wild win home opener

Last night at Xcel Energy Center the Minnesota Wild started their 10th season by taking a look back at the 10 greatest moments in team history. 

Matt Cullen added some great moments in his 1st game with the Wild scoring one goal & assisting on another in leading the club to a 4-2 win over Edmonton.

Minnesota got on the board first when Antti Miettinen took a pass from Andrew Brunette and scored on a wrist shot.

The Oilers would come back in the 2nd period and tie the game on a Power Play goal by Dustin Penner. Edmonton would take their first lead nearly six minutes later on a slap shot by Tom Gilbert.

Minnesota would tie the game up at the fourteen minute mark when Mikko Koivu scored on a beautiful feed from Cullen.

Minnesota would get another power play six seconds after that goal and would score again on a wrist shot by Koivu.

In the 3rd period Cullen would get his first goal as a member of the Wild on a shot from the point that deflected in off an Oilers skate.

It was the 4th power play goal from the Wild and gave them a 4-2 lead which would end up being the final.

A couple observations from last night.

1. Their power play was excellent scoring all four goals and going four for six on the night

2. Just as important was their penalty kill. The Wild took four penalties in the 1st period and were ale to kill off all four of them. The Oilers did eventually score a power play goal in the 2nd but the penalty kill effort is what kept Minnesota in the game.

3. Matt Cullen played in his first home game in Minnesota since he played for St. Cloud State. I thought he was the best player on he ice for the Wild and his play from the point should make the power play better this year for Minnesota. Cullen may be the Wild's best free agent acquisition since Brian Rolston.

4. Marek Zidlicky made his season debut after missing the 1st two games in Finland with a groin injury. Having Cullen playing on the point this year should take some pressure off Zidlicky and he should be better this season.

5. How important was last night's win? With the win the Wild are now a point out of first place in the division. 

Yes I know there are still 78 more games to play but Edmonton came in winning their first two games of the season. A win last night would have given the Oilers a five point lead over the Wild in the division.

A five point lead isn't hard to overcome this early in the season but coming off a pretty poor preseason there was a sense of urgency in the Wild locker room last night.

You can't clinch a playoff berth in October but you can easily lose one. The Wild have five of their next seven games at home. The Wild need to take advantage of the schedule. The next home game is against Columbus on Saturday. Let's see if the momentum will carry over.

Thanks for reading & enjoy the hockey.