GIF-Cap: A Not So Wild Night in Minnesota

This game was very boring at times, but business as usual for the Penguins.

Robert Bortuzzo made his 2014-15 debut for the Penguins. As to be expected, he was a little fired up from the start, giving Mikael Granlund the business a little bit.

The first period of this game was legitimately terrible to watch. I blame Mike Yeo.

Patric Hornqvist hit Granlund as well, so that was something at least.

With 4 minutes remaining in the period, both the Penguins and the Wild had registered 4 shots apiece. No penalties. Nothing too exciting.....

Control of the Senate should be decided long before either of these teams reaches 10 shots.

— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) November 5, 2014

.....up until the Penguins third line went to work and Nick Spaling beat Darcy Kuemper late in the period.

The Penguins third line went back to work early in the 2nd period, pushing the lead to 2-0.

Brandon Sutter beat Kuemper easily with a very solid wrist shot.

In the department of obvious news, Ryan Suter is a much, much better defenseman than Steve Downie is a goal scorer.

Shocking development there.

The Wild made a fatal mistake putting the Penguins on the power play, where they scored in 11 seconds to make it a three goal lead. Lightning in a bottle. The Penguins PK unit killed several penalties of its own, extending their kill streak to 30.

The 3rd period started with a strong push from the Wild, but Thomas Greiss was able to sustain the pressure, and the Penguins supported him very well through the first half of the period. On the penalty kill, the defense were clearing pucks away from the crease as soon as Greiss stopped them. Kind of refreshing to see.

Simon Despres and Kyle Brodziak got into a "fight" in the 3rd period, but Despres did not want to break his hand on Brodziak's visor, who got an extra 2 minutes for instigating. The Pens gave up a shorthanded goal on the ensuing power play, which turned a lot of momentum in favor of Minnesota.

The Wild had a goal waved off with 3 minutes remaining in the game because of goaltender interference, and their fans threw garbage on the ice. Nice going, jackasses.

Patric Hornqvist sealed the game with an empty net goal to make it 4-1.

First win for Thomas Greiss as a Penguin. Two assists for Rob Scuderi.

The Penguins will now head to terrible Winnipeg to face the Jets on Thursday.