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Minnesota Wild Start Western Canadian Road Trip with Win in Vancouver

By Jonathan Brill

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 20: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild defends the net against the Montreal Canadiens during the game at Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Canadiens 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 20: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild defends the net against the Montreal Canadiens during the game at Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Canadiens 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Wheels Fell Off the Wagon… At Least Until the New Guy Puts them Back On

DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 27: Victor Rask #49 of the Minnesota Wild is congratulated by Brad Hunt #77 and Matt Dumba #24 after scoring the go-ahead goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period at the Pepsi Center on December 27, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 27: Victor Rask #49 of the Minnesota Wild is congratulated by Brad Hunt #77 and Matt Dumba #24 after scoring the go-ahead goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period at the Pepsi Center on December 27, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The third period started much like the second with an early Vancouver goal.  J.T. Miller, on a redirection that slips right through Dubnyk’s legs.  It’s been a brutally difficult season for Dubnyk. It’s been tough to judge his play this season with what he has going on off of the ice.  The numbers are bad, we all know, but it’s just tough to be critical on his play from a fan standpoint.

Three minutes later Wild fans witnessed the impossible.  Not another third-period letdown?  J.T. Miller again from the left circle with an absolute cannon.  The Canucks had great puck movement on the play.  Resulting in Dubnyk moving from left to right, off-balance and trying to come out to challenge.  Dubnyk wasn’t able to get his glove on the puck as it whistled just underneath.  Moments before the goal the Wild lost a controversial race to the puck that would’ve been icing on Vancouver.  The icing was waved off and thus resulting in a goal for Vancouver. (editors note: not to mention Carson Soucy getting held up by the Linesman that waived off the Icing and allowed Vancouver to regain possession)

The Wild had their chances in the third.  Soucy had a great look, Greenway right after him on a rebound he couldn’t get to go.  Staal had a nice look on the side of the net but he didn’t pull the trigger in time.  It’s been a tough go for Staal lately.  His play as of late has been awful.  Slow on pucks, flat-feet, and unable to create offensively.

With 4:45 left in the third period, newly acquired winger Alex Galchenyuk scored his first goal as a member of Minnesota Wild.  Galchenyuk had the lunch pale mentality the entire game.  He got to the dirty areas and came out with pucks.  There was a sandpaper grit to his game tonight.  After Soucy’s shot went wide, Galchenyuk gathered the puck, turned and tried to center the puck.  The puck deflected off a Vancouver defender and found its home in the back of the net.

The Wild were able to secure a much-needed point in the standings.  Heading into the overtime frame the Wild are 3-7 in overtime sessions this season.

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