The Minnesota Wild are one of the worst teams in the NHL, but defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 Saturday at Mellon Arena for its first win on the road.

In addition to getting its first road win, the Wild (5-9-0) has now beaten the best team in both conferences – the Wild defeated the Colorado Avalanche at home earlier in the season.

The win also improves the Wild to 7-2-1 all-time against the Penguins (11-3-0) despite being outshot 35-15. In addition to the lopsided difference in shots, the Penguins had the puck in the offensive zone the majority of the game.

Kyle Brodziak gave the Wild a 1-0 lead on a wide open off a rebound on the backdoor on the Wild’s third shot of the game. The initial shot by Brent Burns at the point was stopped by Marc-Andre Fleury, but the rebound bounced to the side where Brodziak had a chip-in goal at the 12:11 mark of the first period. Chuck Kobasew and Burns earned assists on the goal.

Two and a half minutes later former Wild wing Pascal Dupuis beat Niklas Backstrom to tie the game at 1-1. Former Wild defenseman Martin Skoula recorded an assist on the goal.

The Wild retook the lead with less than one second remaining in the first period when Eric Belanger sent a wrist shot over the blocker of Fleury. Martin Havlat and Owen Nolan picked up assists on the goal. The Penguins dominated the period with a 16-4 edge in shots on goal.

In the second period, Sidney Crosby got away with a couple penalties. First he knocked Marek Zidlicky down behind the play in the back and then took a big two-handed swing at the side of him. Zidlicky took exception and dropped the gloves with him. Both players received a two-minute slashing penalty and five-minute fighting penalty.

We may have seen why the Penguins are off to such a good start this season as it got away with numerous hits behind the play, slashes, charges, a trip and a high stick. The Penguins were shorthanded just once, while the Wild had to kill three penalties.

No. 3 Star: Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins wing had the Penguins lone goal and led the team with five shots on goal.

No. 2 Star: Eric Belanger. The Wild center scored the game-winning goal with less than one second remaining in the first period. He also had a solid game in the defensive zone.

No. 1 Star: Niklas Backstrom. The Wild goaltender stole the game with 34 saves, including 15 in the first period alone.

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