Game 18: Wild snap Penguins 6 game winning streak

The Minnesota Wild's trapping defense frustrated the Penguins at times and the league's top penalty kill unit held Evgeni Malkin & Co scoreless on the power play. The Penguins were 0-for-4 on the power play and failed to capitalize in overtime after Wild forward Brent Burns drew a high-sticking penalty with 1:28 remaining in the overtime period.

The Wild were able to force a shootout and goaltender Niklas Backstrom, put on a strong performance Tuesday night at Mellon Arena, stopping 24-of-25 shots, turning aside Petr Sykora, Alex Goligoski and Sidney Crosby in the shootout to the lead the Minnesota Wild to a 2-1 win. The loss snapped the Penguins 6 game winning streak.

At 7:57 of the first period Mikko Koivu was credited with the Wild’s lone goal in regulation after Penguins center Mike Zigomanis put the puck in his own net off of a fluke faceoff. Pittsburgh responded 10 seconds later when Matt cooke scored his second goal of the season with assists to Jordan Staal and Rob Scuderi. Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky scored the only goal in the shootout. Penguins backup goaltender Dany Sabourin filling in for the injured Marc Andre Fleury made 25 saves in the loss. Sidney Crosby is 0-4 in shootouts this season and 9-for-32 in his career.

Tonight was only the 6th time that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were held scoreless in the same game