It took six rounds of a shootout last night but thanks to a stellar deke by Eric Staal and a big stop by Devan Dubnyk on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins the Wild won their 3rd straight.
Recent trend is showing the Wild are developing into the Bruce Boudreau team that we have been waiting to see. The ice is starting to be opened up increasingly more often with the quicker passes with greater purpose. This is creating more opportunities for stretch passes and quick strikes.
The newly formed fourth line of Tyler Graovac, Chris Stewart, and Kurtis Gabriel is a totally new look for the Wild. They have looked good since coming together in Calgary and seem to be getting stronger with each game they play together. They of course bring size and strength but that's not all as Stewart still has good hands and Graovac can make plays, while Gabriel is a force along the boards.
Matt Dumba is starting to show signs of maturity in his 3rd season in the league. He still draws the ire of the conservative fan, but he has tremendous speed and skill combined with great vision on the ice. These are qualities that can't be taught. That said he must still operate within the framework of the team concept.
Last night Dumba's goal showed some of that maturity. He got the puck at the point wound up for the shot, froze Nugent-Hopkins, then walked the puck toward the middle of the ice changing the shooting angle and whistled a wrister through a well set up screen to the back of the net. That play last year or maybe even earlier this year may have either been a blocked slap shot or a shot that misses the target altogether. Dumba also brings a level of intensity and passion that is infectious, which cannot be overlooked as well.
So three in a row and unbeaten in regulation four straight, both tying their season long streaks. St. Louis comes to town tomorrow in a huge Central Division matchup.
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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