Wild Shutdown Canadiens to End Pre-Season

With a 3-0 victory in Montreal last night the Wild have ensured their winning record in the short pre-season, and didn't do too poorly on the road either (compared to their normal deer-in-the-headlights look after road games last season). The Wild ended the pre-season 5-2-0, with both losses coming on the road. Not a bad start as they gear up to host the Boston Bruins on Saturday for their season opener.

Niklas Backstrom shut down the Canadiens with 25 saves, helped by goals from Stephane Veilleux, Marian Gaborik, and Antii Miettinen. Veilleux has been a strong force for the Wild through the pre-season. Looking as though he is coming ready to play this season. Is it possible he is the Wild's sleeper forward this year? He made a bigger impact throughout the pre-season than he did last year. He is known for being a streaky player, but if he is a little sharper this season, with a Wild line-up full of question marks, it's entirely possible that Veilleux could be an important presence this season. Also promising has been Veilleux's hands, he's been making some moves, skating with confidence and passing the puck like someone who believes. He assisted Gaborik's game opening goal. Also tallying up some points against Montreal was James Sheppard, who assisted both Gaborik and Veilleux's goals.

Though the pre-season is the pre-season and needs to be left in the pre-season the finale against Montreal is promising for a team who has something to prove this year. After winning the division last year the Wild lost many key components and are taking some risks on a couple of vets and a host of young, untested players. Montreal is expected to, again, be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and the fashion in which Minnesota controlled the game can only raise their hopes as they begin their seven game break before the opener.