Minnesota Wild: Twitter Reacts to Wild Win Over Panthers
Feb 12, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) looks on during the third period against the Florida Panthers at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Panthers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
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The Minnesota Wild managed to eke out a 2-1 victory at home last night against the Florida Panthers. It was not the prettiest win of the season, but it works. Zach Parise scored the game winner on the power play in the second period. Outside of St. Paul, there was more good news last night for the Wild around the league.
The Colorado Avalanche lost to the New York Rangers 6-3. The Winnipeg Jets fell to the Nashville Predators 3-1. Finally, the Los Angeles Kings beat the Calgary Flames 5-3. Both teams are in the chase but Calgary is higher in the standings so it was a positive outcome for Minnesota. Here is a current look at the Western Conference Wild Card standings:
[table id=17 /]
A full look at the NHL standings can be seen here.
Unsurprisingly, much of the attention on Twitter was focused on Devan Dubnyk, who only allowed one goal. Some of the highlights:
Devan Dubnyk improved to 9-1-1 w/ a 1.48 GAA, .943 SV% and 4 shutouts in 12 consecutive starts since joining @mnwild. pic.twitter.com/fteQ0Bylnv
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 13, 2015
Dubnyk has now allowed zero or one goal in 7 of 12 starts with the Wild - which doesn't include 1GA in regulation at Winnipeg Tuesday.
— Anthony LaPanta (@AnthonyLaPanta) February 13, 2015
Minnesota best team in the NHL since Dubnyk trade. 9-1-2 during that stretch.
— Anthony LaPanta (@AnthonyLaPanta) February 13, 2015
There’s no doubt about it: Dubnyk has made an enormous difference. The goal he gave up last night looked extra soft live, and he should have had better position, but it was an incredible shot by Nick Bjugstad. In the other net, Roberto Luongo played well but still lost. Luongo has been snake bitten in his career at the Xcel Energy Center. His overall record at The X is now 3-10-2.
The Minnesota Wild’s public relations department took a look at the historic significance of the team’s current hot streak:
#mnwild has a 9-game point streak (7-0-2), its longest point streak since the franchise-record 10-game streak, March 8-27, 2007 (9-0-1).
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) February 13, 2015
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Pretty impressive. I feel like with all the talk of the playoff push and the standings, just how well the Wild have played over the past nine games has been pushed to the back burner just a bit. That’s a shame because to play this well after being left for dead is pretty remarkable. There is no doubt that much of it is due to Dubnyk’s play but the whole team has really stepped on the gas. They never should have fallen back as far as they did but now that they are more healthy than before and have consistent goaltending they are finally playing playoff-caliber hockey. Hopefully it continues.
Tomorrow, the Wild take on the Carolina Hurricanes at home at 7:00 PM.