The Minnesota Wild continued their recent slump that has sent them down the NHL standings, losing 4-2 to the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday. After a scoreless first period, the Wild got things started six minutes into the second with a Pierre-Marc-Bouchard goal, but the Coyotes responded with three-straight goals to take a lead they'd never relinquish.
Radim Vrbata scored twice for the Coyotes, both in the third period, and Ray Whitney added an empty net goal late in the game. Daymond Langkow got the scoring started for Phoenix with a goal in the second period, unassisted on a power play. Matt Cullen added the only other goal for the Wild.
With the loss, the Wild have now lost nine of their last ten games with no relief in sight. They used to be at the top of the NHL standings this season, as one of the most surprising teams in the NHL, but have since gave way to the Vancouver Canucks within the division. They'll play seven of their next eight games on the road, and have a tilt against those same Canucks in their next outing, so they do have a chance to make up some ground.
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