Minnesota Wild: Niederreiter Surging Over Last Five Games

You probably noticed that Nino Niederreiter has had a very strong last five games. But what you probably didn’t notice was that he’s been the best on the Minnesota Wild in that stretch and one of the best in the NHL as well.

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Thursday night’s game was huge for Nino Niederreiter. Just when the Wild looked like they were about to end the game deadlocked after giving up a two goals 30 secs apart in late in the second period, Niederretier made an outstanding redirection of pass from Mikael Granlund on the power play at 12:54 in the final frame to snatch the game back for a Wild win.

It was El Nino’s second tally of the game and this third point of the game. He was easily the Wild’s best player responding to his promotion to top line and increased power play time. But his recent success is not limited to Thursday’s game he’s been quietly building a team and NHL best resume over his last 5 games.

Jan 12, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Nino Niederreiter (22) celebrates his goal in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild beat the Montreal Canadiens 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Over his last 5 tilts Niederreiter since January 12th has notched 5 goals and 2 assists for a team high 7 points during that stretch pushing the Wild to a 4-1-0 record. In addition to leading the Wild, Nino is tied with 5 other players for the best point total since January 12th in the NHL.

If that was not enough Niederreiter has the second-best goal total in that span with 5 goals and the best power play goal total in that time with 3. Those 3 goals make up half of the 6 power play goals the Wild have scored since January 12th which have given the Wild a power play percentage over that time of 37.5% which is tied for third best in the NHL with the Capitals.

Dec 31, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Nino Niederreiter (22) skates with the puck in the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Niederreiter is now the Wild’s best goal scorer with the man advantage with 6 on the season. He’s proving to the Head Coach Bruce Boudreau that he’s ready and able to use his net presence to make the power play much more potent. It’s a role he’s not taking for granted.

After Thursday’s game Niederreiter expressed just how much he appreciates being counted on during the power play and his understanding of what he needs to do to stay in that position. When asked about his power play success he was asked by Michael Russo of the Star Tribune saying that “You can never be too comfortable. I still want to get better and better every day trying to stay in that role. It is definitely a privilege to be on it so I have to make sure I work hard to stay there.”