| Record | Pts | Div. Rank | G/G | GA/G | PP% | PK% | |
| Minnesota Wild | (38-36-7) | 83 | 4th NW | 2.60 (20) | 2.91 (21) | 19.0%(10) | 82.8% (14) |
| Dallas Stars |
(36-31-14) | 86 | 5th Pac | 2.80 (11) | 2.98 (23) | 18.5% (11) | 77.5% (27) |
| Minnesota Wild | |||
| Top 5 Scorers: | G | A | Pts |
| 1. #9 Mikko Koivu | 20 | 49 | 69 |
| 2. #15 Andrew Brunette | 25 | 35 | 60 |
| 3. #14 Martin Havlat | 18 | 36 | 54 |
| 4. #3 Marek Zidlicky | 6 | 37 | 43 |
| 5. #20 Antti Miettinen | 20 | 22 | 42 |
| Top 3 Penalty Minutes: | PIM | ||
| 1. #24 Derek Boogaard | 95 | ||
| 2. #36 John Scott | 90 | ||
| 3. #3 Marek Zidlicky | 67 | ||
| Goaltenders: | GAA | SV% | |
| 1. #32 Niklas Backstrom (26-23-7) | 2.72 | .903 | |
| 2. #31 Wade Dubielewicz (1-1-0) | 2.97 | .853 | |
| Dallas Stars |
|||
| Top 5 Scorers: | G | A | Pts |
| 1. #91 Brad Richards | 24 | 67 | 91 |
| 2. #21 Loui Eriksson | 29 | 41 | 70 |
| 3. #18 James Neal | 27 | 28 | 55 |
| 4. #63 Mike Ribeiro | 19 | 34 | 53 |
| 5. #10 Brendan Morrow | 19 | 26 | 45 |
| Top 3 Penalty Minutes: | PIM | ||
| 1. #29 Steve Ott | 149 | ||
| 2. #13 Krystofer Barch | 130 | ||
| 3. #3 Stephane Robidas | 70 | ||
| Goaltenders: | GAA | SV% | |
| 1. #35 Marty Turco (22-20-11) | 2.72 | .913 | |
| 2. #32 Kari Lehtonen (5-4-0) | 2.81 | .913 |
Here it is folks, the last game of the Wild’s 2009-2010 season. It has definitely been one of ups and downs, however probably more downs than ups. Yet looking at today’s Minneapolis Star Tribune one could almost think tonight’s game was being played in Dallas rather than St. Paul. Today’s feature hockey article is not about the Wild, but a familiar (and sometimes unwelcome) face.
It seems that Mike Modano is considering retirement. A shoe-in for the Hockey Hall of Fame is coming home in a sense. Wild fans are well aware of the fact, that the Michigan-native started his career with the then Minnesota North Stars. When the owner at the time, Norm Green (or Greed as it’s sometimes spelled) moved the team south to Dallas, Modano went as well. While there have been some interesting comments between Modano and Minnesota hockey fans over the years, there will be many fans in Xcel Energy Center tonight to witness what may be the end of his career.
Now that I have the obligatory Mike Modano news out of the way, it’s time to turn our thoughts to the end of this season. As has been the case for much of the season, tonight is another night of “bring in the kids.” Adding to our recent injuries of Guillaume Latendresse, Owen Nolan, and Josh Harding we will also be without Marek Zidlicky, Martin Havlat and James Sheppard. It feels as if we’re at a point, that they might as well fly up the entire roster of the Houston Aeros to supplement Robbie Earl, Cody Almond, Maxim Noreau and Wade Dubielewicz who are already in St. Paul. Thanfully, the injury that forced Dubielewicz to relieve Niklas Backstrom is not the kind that will force him to sit tonight. Sure a puck to the throat doesn’t feel too good, but it’s not quite the same as a groin injury. Backstrom is expected to start today.
Right now, I have a song going through my head. In honor of the end of the season, I’ll even share it with you. It’s not my fault however if it gets stuck in your head like it’s stuck in my head.
So long, farewell
Auf Widersehen, Adieu
Adieu, Adieu
To You and you and you.
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