Devin Setoguchi scores shootout game-winner as Minnesota Wild edge Chicago Blackhawks 2-1-NHL Update
Being a playoff ousted team did not keep Minnesota from fighting back as Devin Setoguchi fired the shootout game-winner as Wild edged Chicago Blackhawks, 2-1, Thursday night, April 5, 2012, at the sold-out Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
With a four day rest and a previous victory over Chicago Blackhawks, which also came in a shootout, gave Minnesota Wild their second straight now and a huge advantage in the regular season series against the team.
"It felt like we were, it felt like we had the momentum at the time," Minnesota Wild coach, Mike Yeo, said. "With that, it's how we had stayed with the game. With how the guys on the power play were playing at that time, it was a good feeling."
Chicago’s play was sloppy and could be noticed as Blackhawks failed to take any prominent lead over the Wild.
"We didn't have any pace. I thought we got away from the intensity of being on the power play and looking for an easier look as opposed to the intensity that's needed to just sustain the momentum of our game," Chicago head coach, Joel Quenneville, said.
Blackhawks are still playing without captain, Jonathan Toews, which has certainly downplayed their team significantly. Having him back for the playoffs will be crucial for Blackhawks survival in the postseason.
Jamal Mayers kicked off the scoring with his sixth of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season on an assist by Michael Frolik in the opening period.
After a scoreless second period, Cal Clutterbuck made a strong move on the power play with Bryan Bickell out for Chicago and potted the equaliser with less than four minutes remaining on the clock in round-three.
Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and Viktor Stalberg missed on all three Chicago chances in the shootout decider while Setoguchi made the only one for Minnesota to take the match.
Minnesota Wild will be concluding the regular season against Phoenix Coyotes at home on Saturday while Chicago Blackhawks are aiming to end their two-game slump against Detroit Red Wings on the same day.
It is still not certain when Jonathan Toews will be making a comeback but he should not be expected to return for a matchup against Detroit.
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