Where to start? Did you hear, the Penguins were in town with that Crosby, or whatever his name is, guy. WOW! Is he the total package or what? I had the privilege of being in attendance at last night's game and was never so energized after seeing the Wild lose! All in all, it was an o.k. to solid effort by the Wild, but that first line for Pitt would not be denied. Crosby walks out of the Xcel Energy Center with the Pens first ever win there and 4 points to boot. Granted, some of his assists were a little flukey, but they were driving the puck to the net all night and good things happen when you do that.

I had the pleasure of taking my almost 8 year old to see "the legend" as he refers to Crosby. I never got to see Gretzky play. I hope he remembers this opportunity for a long time. The way the NHL goes, we won't see the Pens again for another 3-4 years. My son dressed up as Elvis-gone-Wild and, after getting home last night from the game and fast forwarding through our Tivo, he made it onto the Versus broadcast when Doc' said something like the original Elvis has not left the building (must have been late in the game). So that was fun for him. We also got to the arena in time to get a spot on the glass behind the Penguins net to watch them warm up. One of the guys shot high and the puck hit the netting and I reached up in case it came down on the fan side of the boards. It didn't :( However, Marc-Adre Fleury was standing there, saw me, and flipped the puck back up into the netting with his catching mit and I retreived it for my son. Fleury is now one of our favorite Penguins. What a classy move by a guy who has every right to be a grump about his circumstances right now. Hats off to Fleury!

Sauborin had a solid game last night for the Pens and I think they are slightly surprised at how good this "backup" is playing right now. Harding had an o.k. night, but not alot of help from his defense. He had some quality saves on 9-10 scoring chances, all of which were very good chances. Koivu and Bouchard had very solid games. Talk about puck control! These guys are going to be very good in the years to come. I hope the Wild lock up PMB after the first of the year which is the earliest they can talk to him because of his status currently on his one year contract. Sheppard had his first fight of his young NHL career for the Wild against former Wild player Adam Hall. Maybe I'm a homer, but I give Shep the win in that tussle. The Penguins players, other than Crosby and Malkin, were all very solid and played a good game for their team. They have a good combination of younger and older guys. Last, but not least, Crosby and Malkin! Crosby gets the spotlight, but Malkin quietly kills you in the shadow of Sid's light. For as good as Crosby played, Malkin equalled him. They are the perfect combination and remind me a ton of Lemieux and Jagr. Pitt is going to be SCARY good very soon!

While my team lost, I thoroughly enjoyed watching them get beat by a great skating and passing and shooting Penguins team! Crosby's goal in the 3rd was only feet away from where I sit and partially brought me out of my seat. While I feel bad for Harding, he now can join the rest of NHL goaltenders victimized by Crosby, Malkin and Company. It really was too bad we didn't have Demitra, Gaborik, Backstrom and Dominic Moore (former Penguin) in the line up. Would also loved to have seen Laraque and Rutuu playing as well. Oh well, it was still everything the media hyped it to be despite the loss. Plus, if you're gonna give away two points, at least it wasn't to a Western Conference team that you're competing with to get into the playoffs. However, missing two points is missing two points and, many years, how each team in your division fares against the other Conference's opponents can fortell who makes the post-season and who doesn't. Should be fun watching Pitt roll into Colorado in a few days and play the Avs who are rolling right now at the Pepsi Center.

So, one month out of the way and the Wild are 7-3-2 with 16 points, just barely in first place in the Northwest Division with Calgary and Colorado in hot pursuit, while Vancouver and Edmonton are still within striking distance; in 2nd place in the Western Conference standings behind the Red Wings; and 4th overall in the entire NHL. All in all a good month, but 4 losses in a row now. Time to start over with the new month almost here. At the beginning of the season, I predicted they would start 9-3 for a total of 18 points, so not too far off. In November, prior to the season starting, I had predicted that they would go 10-3, winning every home game and only beating Edmonton and Nashville on the road with road losses to Colorado, Calgary and Vancouver during a brutal 4 game road trip against the above teams and Edmonton in the second full week of November. If the injury bug continues and key players remain off the roster, it could be much worse. Also, maybe losing on the road in Colorado, Calgary and Edmonton was good for this team to get it out of their system.

In any event, here's to getting off on the right foot on Nov. 1 at home against the Blues who we beat on the road on Oct. 20 and who we faced twice in the pre-season also. They are much improved, but still very beatable, especially at the "X" in St. Paul. "X" marks the spot Wild fans, Go Wild!!!!!

P.S. As my wife is expecting very soon, I may be unavailable at any moment. I will try to keep blogging and keep up, but between work, hockey and getting ready for the new baby while keeping the other 4 kids going in the right direction, it could get a little hairy. At the very least, I will post open blog opportunities for Wild/NHL fans to discuss whatever seems to be happening in Wild-land/hockey-land. Thanks for your understanding. - Brad

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