Devin Setoguchi powers Minnesota Wild past Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 -NHL Update
Going out of regulation has not been an issue for Minnesota, but it has actually become a preference now as the Wild secured their third straight victory in a shootout against Chicago Blackhawks, 5-4, on Sunday night, April 1, 2012, at the sold-out United
Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Minnesota’s third consecutive win came after an overtime win against Florida Panthers and shootout decider against Los Angeles Kings, having them well trained to do the same with Chicago.
Chicago was fixed on winning as Patrick Kane made the equalising shot during the final minutes of round-three on a power play with Andrew Shaw feeding him the puck. Mikko Koivu went out with a minor penalty for tripping, giving Chicago an ample chance to
rebound.
Blackhawks lost Marcus Kruger at a crucial moment with less than two minutes remaining but luckily killed off the penalty to stay alive.
Devin Setoguchi really shined with Minnesota against Chicago as he added the first of the night, followed by Patrick Sharp’s levelling shot and another to break the tie as the former San Jose player assisted Dany Heatley on the power play.
"That might be (Setoguchi's) best game that he's played in a Minnesota Wild jersey, to be honest with you, right from the start," Minnesota head coach, Mike Yeo, said. "I think that he's really elevated his game, and it's obviously been a trying season for
him, but it's really encouraging to see him going the way he's going right now."
Josh Harding picked up a goal on Chicago’s first shootout attempt while Erik Christensen kept Minnesota alive on his own opening shot.
Setoguchi capitalised on his turn and Minnesota’s last to take the match after Dave Bolland missed on Chicago’s final opportunity.
Chicago is also playing without some of their top players like captain, Jonathan Toews, who missed his 20th contest due to a concussion along with top defenseman, Duncan Keith, who will return in their next after the completion of a five-game
suspension.
"Hopefully we get both (Keith and Toews)) back and we can become better as a team," Kane said. "That's the biggest thing right now, working on these last two games, you want to move forward and get as high as you can in the standings.”
Minnesota will be aiming for a fourth win against Nashville Predators on Tuesday and could be taking the match out of regulation while Chicago has the next against the Wild again on Thursday.
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