If their body language didn't express it enough, Wild players' words certainly reinforced the frustration that hung over the team after yet another close loss — this one a 3-2 decision to the Penguins on Monday at Xcel Energy Center that purged the team of the momentum it earned from a Saturday win over the Jets.

"Obviously, it gets old," goalie Devan Dubnyk said. "We're all competitive and used to winning in here, so you don't want to sit here and say over and over that we played well and had chances and made a good effort. But that's the case."

Although the group recognized the confidence boost it received from knocking off a talented Winnipeg team to end its five-game losing skid, it also made it clear one win wasn't enough. It needs to assemble a different kind of streak.

And after the team failed in that attempt, the mood was predictably down. But the team's leaders emphasized the importance of remaining positive.

SARAH MCLELLAN