One game does not provide many answers, of course, but the Wild's 4-3 season-opening loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday at Hartwall Areena resembled way too many of the outings from a season ago when Minnesota made only cameo appearances among the NHL's Western Conference playoff contenders. The Wild put on a late rally to draw within one goal near the end of the third period, but couldn't close the deal. Minnesota struggled last season in similar situations and lost nine of its first 12 games. "It's not enough if you don't win," Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom said. "There are still things we have to get better at, things we have to work on." One of those: Just a few days after coach Todd Richards bemoaned Minnesota giving up three goals in a period a horrendous 16 times last season, the Wild did it again. They were leading 1-0 late in the first period when Cam Barker took a penalty at 19:15, and Carolina tied the score 35 seconds later. Read more: http://www.twincities.com/wild/ci_16283331
