Greetings. Youngblood here for the last time before the All-Star Game break.

Here are my thoughts on the game I covered tonight at the United Center, in no particular order:

1. How good was Backstrom? Or, for you long-time Wild fans, how much did that diving, sprawling first-period save on Troy Brouwer remind you of what Jiggy did to Gabby (if my memory serves) in the Western Conference finals? Ever since he came back from that hip injury he's been wonderful. He won in Calgary, was the biggest reason the Wild had a chance in San Jose and was great again tonight. If he hadn't stood tall (or is that stood on his head) when the Hawks were buzzing in the first period, this one could have gotten out of hand. Too bad he can't be playing in Carolina.

2. It was nice to see Jared Spurgeon get his first NHL point. for about a half hour it looked like it'd be his first goal. But it was right to give Kobasew the goal. He clearly got his stick on it. Spurgeon played well. He was a plus-2, had a couple of hits and was very calm in his own end against the talented Hawks.

3. And how about Clayton Stoner. He continues to play well, too. He had a game-high eight hits tonight, and he blocked two shots as well.

4. Speaking of blocked shots, the Wild was all over the place doing that tonight. Stoner with two, Greg Zanon with FIVE. Burns and Bouchard with two each. In all the wild blocked 16 shots, with nine players having at least one.

5. This was a team-wide victory, though Backstrom led the way. Four players scored goals, with Bouchard and Kobasew getting two points each.

6. The biggest thing go, is the poise the Wild showed when it was down 2-1 and Chicago was buzzing. This team has incredible confidence on the road this season, with one game feeding into the next. if the Wild can bring some of that home after the break a playoff spot is certainly there for the taking.

That's about all for tonight. Have a good night and we'll see you after the break.