An easy method to decipher how well things are progressing for the Minnesota Wild, compared to how unsettled the situation is at the moment for the Detroit Red Wings, start right between the goal posts.
The Wild know exactly who will be in goal when they face the Red Wings Saturday at the Xcel Energy Center – Devan Dubnyk, the same guy who’s been in their net for the previous 35 games.
“It’s pretty tremendous,… Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard said of Dubnyk. “He’s doing a great job for them. He’s just giving them a chance to win every single night.
Since the Wild acquired him from the Arizona Coyotes, Dubnyk is 26-6-1 with a 1.70 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage.
“Just like any other goalie, when you get into that groove, you’re playing night in and night out, everything sort of falls into place, and every game just sort of feels the same,… Howard said.
In the case of Detroit’s goalies, everything seems to be falling apart at the most important time of the season. Wings’ coach Mike Babcock has given both Howard and Petr Mrazek the opportunity to make the No. 1 job theirs and now he’s back to where he’s planning to alternate them.
One will start Saturday against the Wild; the other Sunday at Joe Louis Arena against the Washington Capitals.
“We have a big game against Minny,… Babcock said. “Howie is going to start against Minny and Pete’s going to start against Washington. We have to go win a game. We’re in a good situation that we’re in control of our own destiny. We have to play real well though. We have to find a way to get a win.
The reason why Babcock has opted to audition both netminders this weekend is because thus far, neither has been able to show him they are worthy of holding the position on a regular basis.
“We’ve not no luck with back to backs,… said Babcock, whose team hasn’t won successive games since a three-game winning streak from Feb. 26-March 4. “So this way they’re both getting one.
“I haven’t thought about it anymore than that. We feel this gives us the best chance to have success in both games.…
Count Babcock among those impressed by how journeyman Dubnyk has rescued his career from the ashes and now has people talking about him as a Hart Trophy candidate.
“It just goes to show you,… Babcock said. “I think the team was struggling a bit. They didn’t feel they weren’t getting goaltending, so this guy goes in and plays real well for them.
“He’s a big guy and seems to be square to the shooter with minimal movement. He’s good enough with the puck to help the D. He’s played real well for them.
“Goaltending gives you confidence. That’s real important. We all know that. He’s gone in there and has been solid and they’ve played way better in front of him.…
Howard, who was struggling with tracking the puck in recent starts, feels he’s rectified the problem and is ready to take the bull by the horns in what will be his first starting assignment since he was pulled after the first period of a 6-4 loss to San Jose on March 26.
“I feel good,… Howard said. “I worked with (Wings goaltending coach) Jimmy Bedard pretty much every single day, a half hour before guys even got on the ice, too.
“So we worked on some things and I feel good about the game, and I’m excited to be playing again.…
Proud Papa Detroit forward Joakim Andersson is a father for the first time. His daughter Nelly was born Thursday morning.
“It was a great experience,… Andersson said. “It’s something special. You hear about it from other guys that have kids but it special for sure.
“I’ll remember that forever.…
Like teammate Darren Helm, who became a father one week earlier, Andersson drives an Audi. Unlike Helm, they made it to the hospital in time and his daughter wasn’t born in the back seat of the car.
“Yeah, I don’t have a crazy story like that,… Andersson said. “But it’s pretty cool what the girls go through before the baby is out.…
Injury Updates The Wings are hopeful that center Pavel Datsyuk (lower body, believed to be an ankle) will be available Saturday, but that’s the only potential good news on the injury front. Forwards Erik Cole and Tomas Jurco remain out due to upper-body injuries.
“Erik Cole won’t play,… Babcock said. “Pavel will be a game-time decision, or a tomorrow-morning decision.
“We played him on a line today like he was playing, but we don’t know how it’ll react so we’ll decide tomorrow morning.…