Wild keeps Avalanche at bay with shootout win against Sabres 3-2

Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY SportsThe Minnesota Wild played about as good a first period as you could want from a road team, but an unfortunate penalty let the Buffalo Sabres into the game, and it took a shootout to decide the game. With a big goal from Wild captain Mikko Koivu late in the third period, Devan Dubnyk and the Wild held on just long enough to get a big two points in the standings.

Minnesota dominated the first period right at the on-set. The fourth line of Ryan Carter - Jarret Stoll - and newcomer David Jones got the balance of play in the offensive zone against the Sabres' top line of Sam Reinhart - Evander Kane - and Jack Eichel. The play worked out for Minnesota as David…