Apr 9, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Ray Emery (30) makes a save on Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville (29) and forward Kyle Brodziak (21) during the third period at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

After being shutout three times in four straight games, the Minnesota Wild have scored 11 goals in the past three, improving their overall record to 24-16-3 and four points above the playoff bubble. While Minnesota has won two straight games since the return of second line center Matt Cullen, the secret to Minnesota’s success may lie in the newly formed third line.

The third line isn’t made up of gritty role players like it has been in the past. Instead, third line center Kyle Brodziak is surrounded by brilliant playmaker Pierre-Marc Bouchard and former Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville, a top-6 guy with a nose for the net. In the two games since being put together, this line has potted five goals and three assists. Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo wasn’t kidding when he said he thought this line had tremendous potential to score some goals.

Third lines are a different breed compared to first, second and even fourth lines. Yes, they’re bottom-6—mostly designed for grinding role players. However, a great third line also has the potential to explode offensively with guys that aren’t quite top-6 players, but no slouches when it comes to chipping in goals. That’s exactly what Yeo has built with this line.

This third line is relatively gritty, plays both sides of the puck and has incredible offensive potential. Bouchard is the kind of player that can cut through defenses like butter and set up Pominville or Brodziak with beautiful passes. Speaking of Brodziak, he is the work horse on the line with great two-way play and can chip in goals when needed. Pominville is the finisher, the forward with the all-around game, making him an incredible asset in all three zones. Minnesota needs seven points out of a possible 10 in the remaining five games of the season to guarantee a playoff spot—this line could go a long way in helping the team accomplish that.

The fact of the matter is, Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise may be the heart and soul, Niklas Backstrom and Ryan Suter may be the backbone, Matt Cullen may be the air the team breathes and the youngsters may be the life blood, but this third line is the muscle and sinew that binds it all together. Wild fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

Mar 25, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom (32) knocks the puck away from Dallas Stars left wing Ray Whitney (13) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

According to Chris Miller of the Star Tribune, both Cal Clutterbuck and Niklas Backstrom will be in the lineup tonight for the Minnesota Wild.

Clutterbuck, who was injured in the first period of Monday night’s matchup with the Dallas Stars, came back to lead the team to victory—notching two assists and setting up Kyle Brodziak’s game-winning shorthanded goal late in the third. Seen limping badly after the game, the Minnesota Wild fan favorite was considered questionable for tonight’s game against Phoenix. He’ll take his place on the gritty, yet deadly third line with Brodziak and former two-time 50-goal scorer Dany Heatley. On returning to the game and playing a vital role in his team’s win, Clutterbuck said after this morning’s skate, “I couldn’t walk very well, but I thought I’d throw on the skates and see how it went, and I could skate ok”.

Niklas Backstrom will once again be in net tonight, starting his 12^th straight game for the Minnesota Wild. After being named the NHL’s second start of the week on Monday, Backstrom allowed four goals on 26 shots in a 7-4 victory against the Stars in Dallas. It’s not that he was terrible, but you can tell he’s being worked hard with his normal backup, Josh Harding, out with medical issues, and his rotating backup a combo of youngsters Matt Hackett and Darcy Kuemper. The best goaltender in franchise history has been more than up to the challenge, however—posting a 14-3-1 record in his past 18 games and an NHL second-best 17 wins on the season.

After tonight, Backstrom should get a break as the team travels once again to Dallas for a game on Friday night. Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher will likely call up Matt Hackett to join Kuemper and the team in Dallas, giving his No. 1 netminder an extra day to rest up to face the defending Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings on Saturday night. He certainly could use the break and you can bet his Wild teammates believe it is well-deserved.