Greg Zanon News

The Wild welcomed a new player to their roster, lost another to illness shortly before the game and nevertheless put on a demonstration of hard-nosed hockey against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night at the Xcel Energy Center.

Share + Nov 24, 2009 8:35 am US/Central Reporting Mark Rosen ST. PAUL There are playoff beards and hockey hair, but members of the Minnesota Wild are sporting some mustaches this " Movember " for a good cause.

Minnesota Wild's Greg Zanon, front, is upended along the boards in a check-attempt against New York Islanders' Josh Bailey in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Nov.

You know the Wild's in a fragile state when on the power play Friday night, coach Todd Richards had to throw Greg Zanon over the boards.

If Robbie Earl continues at this pace, Gophers fans who double as Wild fans might have to start to love a former Wisconsin Badger.

Last month, in the heart of the Wild's struggles, there were times it was difficult to ascertain what the team was trying to accomplish.

Dan Boyle's goal with 60 seconds remaining capped a third-period rally and Thomas Greiss made the most of a rare start as San Jose skated past Nashville at HP Pavilion.

Leafs streak ended by Wild win Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson is scored on by Minnesota Wild forward Martin Havlat from behind the net , left, as Toronto Maple Leafs' Luke Schenn and Minnesota Wild forward Owen Nolan follow the play during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Toronto, November 10, 2009.

No one had to explain things to Dan Bylsma. When he and Todd Richards coached the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins three years ago, eager to initiate fresh ideas, Bylsma said it required 20 or 25 games for the new culture to fully take hold.

The problem right now is that the Wild aren't sure who or what they are. They know what they used to be.

Unusual suspects push Canucks past Wild Vancouver Canucks' Mikael Samuelsson and Ryan Kesler, second from right, celebrate teammate Mason Raymond's goal on goalie Niklas Backstrom, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov.

Crosby was crying like a baby all night, Zidlicky did a good job getting under his skin .

Is it just me, or has the play of the Minnesota Wild improved lately with Kim Johnsson out of the lineup? I'm sure most of the so-called experts in the media will say it's just me but warped minds never did believe much in coincidence.

Minnesota Wild's Marek Zidlicky, left, of the Czech Republic, fights with Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct.

Things have lightened up for the Wild. Just in time. After dropping eight of their 10 previous games, the Wild had a relaxed optional practice Thursday at the Xcel Energy Center followed by a loose-goosy morning skate Friday before going onto the ice and that evening and stopping the New York Rangers for a 3-2 home win.

MIN PIT 12:11 1 0 14:48 1 1 19:59 2 1 MIN PIT 2 1 MIN PIT 2 1 PITTSBURGH -- Niklas Backstrom finally stole a win for the Minnesota Wild on the road, and in the most unlikely of places.

Halloween, or All Hollow's Eve however you wish to say it, its a night that kids relish for the opportunity to dress up as just about anything they wish and then gorge themselves on lots of cheap candy.

Preview: The Wild, 0-8 on the road, visits the Igloo for the last time. The Wild is 6-2-1 all-time vs.

Reunions week continues on Wednesday for the Minnesota Wild, as the Nashville Predators visit the Xcel Energy Center.

2. Dave Bolland, Blackhawks: Scored a goal and made Martin Havlat's presence only a rumor in the final 50 minutes.