by Sports Xchange

"Little bit of a rough go," said Gillies, who's got seven points in 21 games. "I'm still trying to find my hands. It's amazing what a year of not really playing that much will do to you."

--Wild assistant coach Dave Barr, a Colorado assistant last season, says the biggest reason for the Avalanche's rise from the Western Conference floor last season has been goalie Craig Anderson.

"But guys are having better years and they recognized the need to some degree to get some youth in there with (Matt) Duchene, (Ryan) O'Reilly, (Kyle) Cumiskey and (TJ) Galiardi," Barr said. "Those four guys can all play, bring good energy and are ready to roll every night."

--Saturday's game was the Wild's last of November, meaning "Movember" has officially ended. A dozen Wild players grew mustaches this month to raise awareness and money for prostate and testicular cancer research.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It was sick. Standing 'O' for an assist." -- Wild enforcer Derek Boogaard on the crowd's reaction when his first point in nearly a year was announced Friday.