National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 4, Pittsburgh 0
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, April 5, 2014
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Referees: Jean Hebert, Tom Kowal
Linesmen: Brian Mach, Andy McElman
Attendance: 19409

Wild 4, Penguins 0: Cody McCormick recorded a goal and an assist while Ilya Bryzgalov posted his third shutout of the season as host Minnesota won for just the second time in seven games (2-2-3).

Erik Haula, captain Mikko Koivu and Stephane Veilleux also scored for the Wild, who remained five points ahead of Dallas for the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Charlie Coyle and Zach Parise each notched two assists while Bryzgalov made 20 saves to improve to 5-0-3 with two shutouts in nine games since being acquired from Edmonton.

Jeff Zatkoff turned aside 16 shots for the Metropolitan Division-champion Penguins, who were shut out for the sixth time this season.

Minnesota went ahead early as Haula got past several defenders and chased down a bouncing puck after Matt Moulson lifted it toward the net from the neutral zone before backhanding it past Zatkoff 1:42 into the game. Koivu doubled the lead just over seven minutes later, racing down the right wing and cutting to the top of the slot to beat the netminder with a wrist shot.

Veilleux made it 3-0 with 5:04 left in the opening period as Zatkoff was unable to glove his shot from the slot. McCormick completed the scoring at 6:24 of the second by burying a feed from Parise for his first goal in 10 games with Minnesota.

GAME NOTEBOOK: McCormick, who had gone without a point since being acquired from Buffalo with Moulson on March 5, ended his 25-game goal-scoring drought. He netted his only other tally this season on Nov. 5 against San Jose. ... Pittsburgh rookie D Olli Maatta was scratched with an undisclosed injury. ... Bryzgalov, who registered his 33rd career shutout, blanked the New York Islanders in his second start for Minnesota on March 9.
Top Game Performances
 
Pittsburgh   Minnesota
N/A Points Cody McCormick 2
N/A Goals Cody McCormick 1
N/A Assists Charlie Coyle 2
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Jeff Zatkoff .800 Save Percentage Ilya Bryzgalov 1.000
Jeff Zatkoff 16 Saves Ilya Bryzgalov 20
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Pittsburgh 20 0 0-2 2-2 4 23
Minnesota 20 4 0-2 2-2 4 31
Upcoming Games
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Winnipeg. The Wild have a W/L % of .538 after a win and .487 after a loss.
  • Pittsburgh will play their next game on the road against Colorado. The Penguins have a W/L % of .620 after a win and .643 after a loss.