Wild week in review

Last update: November 15, 2009 - 7:52 AM

WEEK IN REVIEW

Record: 1-1-1

• The Wild opened a four-game road trip by winning for the fourth time in five games Tuesday by clobbering Toronto 5-2. Mikko Koivu scored a goal and two assists, and Niklas Backstrom made 37 saves. But the Wild blew a 3-1 third-period lead Thursday at Tampa Bay before losing 4-3 in a shootout and dropped a 3-1 decision Friday in Washington.

STAR TRIBUNE'S STAR OF THE WEEK

Owen Nolan, right winger: The grizzly 37-year-old veteran moved to the second line and is skating great. He scored shorthanded in Toronto and scored the "Goal of the Year" in Tampa by going from zone-to-zone.

THIS WEEK: Three games

Today: at Carolina, 12:30 p.m.; Wednesday: vs. Phoenix, 7 p.m.; Friday: vs. N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.

• The Wild, and Coyotes killer Niklas Backstrom, have won nine of the past 10 vs. Phoenix, and No. 1 overall pick John Tavares makes his first visit to St. Paul with the Isles.

THE QUOTE

"You watch the way [the Wild’s] played the last two weeks, they’re starting to get it." — Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet

MICHAEL RUSSO

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