“Show me a good goaltender and I’ll show you a good coach.”
So goes the most famous of NHL adages that seems to directly apply to this season’s version of the Minnesota Wild. The Wild acquired goaltender Devan Dubnyk from the Arizona Coyotes and have received immediate results. Dubnyk allowed just one goal in his first two games in which he faced 44 shots. Minnesota won both games to halt a six-game losing streak and their ugliest stretch of the season in which they lost 12 out of 14 games.
Wild head coach Mike Yeo was considered toast after Tuesday’s 7-2 debacle of a loss at Pittsburgh but management has been consistent in its message that coaching was not the problem. Goaltending was the real problem as Minnesota ranked 24th in the NHL for goals against despite ranking second for shots against.
The Wild had a players only meeting immediately after their loss at Pittsburgh. Star left wing Zach Parise, who arrived at Minnesota in 2012 for a mega bucks deal, stated that players need to start living up to their paychecks.
“At some point, we have to start to deliver,” he said. “The coaches can only do so much. As players, we have to have some thicker skin and hold each other accountable. We’re missing that right now. It’s too easy internally to not compete and it’s too easy for us to quit. We give up one, two goals, and mentally now we quit. We’ve been fragile.”
The other player that Minnesota backed up the truck for, defenseman Ryan Suter, said that team remains united. “We’re all in it together,” said Suter. “We all get along. It’s a good room. It’s so frustrating.”
Yeo, meanwhile, had a directly honest and nonpolitical answer about being on the hot seat stating that he was a realist and that he was worried about losing his job.
Most NHL observers believe that the Wild are well coached, that it indeed was goaltending that was the problem. Dubnyk now has the opportunity for a full-time number one gig after backing up Mike Smith at Arizona. Just as important he has the chance to be the answer for the Minnesota goaltending dilemma that has been an issue for several years.
The Island Rocks
The New York Islanders Islanders scored a statement making 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins to extend their lead in the Metropolitan Division . The Islanders trailed 3-2 entering the third period before exploding for four goals in the third as the sellout crowd blew the roof off venerable Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Kyle Okposo netted a natural hat trick in that third period for one of the most memorable individual performances and team wins of the season so far.
Jets Soar
Speaking of statement making wins, how about Winnipeg’s 4-2 victory at the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night? Despite having their defense corps wiped out by injuries, the Jets refuse to lose. Winnipeg remained firmly ensconced in fifth position in the Western Conference playoff race. Jets head coach Paul Maurice has proven the value of strong leadership and structure.
Goaltender Michael Hutchinson stopped 25 out of 27 shots in the win and continues to push Ondrej Pavelec for more playing time. Hutchinson had a save percentage of .932 compared to Pavelec’s .913. The Jets ranked an impressive sixth in the NHL for goals against. Left wing Andrew Ladd and center Bryan Little added offense with 17 goals each.
Jackets Stun Bruins
The Columbus Blue Jackets stopped a four-game losing streak on Saturday with a 3-1 win at Boston. Columbus got two third period goals from Matt Calvert to get the win while backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney stopped 32 Bruins shots.
Preds Spoil Trotz Homecoming
The Nashville Predators spoiled the return of former coach Barry Trotz with a well played 4-3 win over Trotz’s new team, the Washington Capitals. Nashville missed the playoffs last season due in large part to goaltender Pekka Rinne missing the season due to injury. Rinne is now out for at least a month with a knee injury.
The Preds were neck and neck with the Anaheim Ducks for the top record in the NHL but now face the challenge of keeping pace without their world class goaltender. Marek Mazanec and Carter Hutton face the daunting task of filling Rinne’s large skate boots.
