Devan Dubnyk Earns NHL’s Third Star Honors

A week after the NHL named Zach Parise NHL’s third star of the week, Devan Dubnyk is the new NHL third star of the week.

The last week couldn’t have been any better for Dubnyk and the Minnesota Wild. The Wild played in their twelfth “Western Canadian Roadtrip” and swept Edmonton, Calgary, and Vanouver for only the second time in Wild history. They outscored their opponents 7-3 in those three games, and Dubnyk was outstanding.

Dubnyk allowed one goal, a deflection off Kyle Brodziak’s skate, in the game in Edmonton saving 23 out of 24 shots. Following that win, Dubnyk made all 30 saves against the Calgary Flames and posted his second shutout since being traded to the Wild. Yesterday, Dubnyk saved 35 out of 37 shots and, even more impressive, got the refs to discuss a goal in which he was not allowed to get to his proper place in his crease; that goal was disallowed.

The one thing about Devan Dubnyk that I have really respected about him is his drive to play really well for the team. After his second win with the Wild, Dubnyk commented on how he wanted to play better for the team and allow the Wild a chance to win every night. He has done just that. Since joining the Wild, the Wild have gone 5-1-1 and have gained all but three possible points which has gotten them to within 5 points of the second wildcard spot.

Watch Dubnyk’s post game interview here from the win in Vancouver:

In Dubnyk’s 7 starts with the Wild, he has posted a 1.71 goals against average with a .935 save percentage. In hindsight, the currently leader in goals against average in the NHL is Nashville’s Pekka Rinne at 1.96 while Montreal’s goaltender, Carey Price, leads the NHL in save percentage at .933. The sample size for Dubnyk with the Wild is obviously much smaller than Price and Rinne with their respective clubs, but it is exciting nonetheless and has reinvigorated the Minnesota Wild.

Tomorrow, Devan Dubnyk will face his toughest challenge yet as the Wild host the Blackhawks for the last time this season. The game can be seen on NBCSN at 7 CST.