Wild Blog: Dubnyk Solid In Home Debut
By Craig D. Schroepfer, @CDSWCCO
Last Wednesday the Minnesota Wild addressed their goaltending situation by trading a third-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Devan Dubnyk. Dubnyk made his Wild debut the following night, shutting out the Buffalo Sabres 7-0.
On Saturday, Dubnyk got his first chance to start at home for Minnesota as he faced the Coyotes, the team that just traded him away.
Dubnyk stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced and helped lead the Wild to a 3-1 win over the Coyotes. After the game Dubnyk said it did feel a little strange facing his former team right away.
"It was weird being around the Coyotes and at the hotel, walking over to the rink with them." Dubnyk said. "But I had a chance to play Edmonton [where Dubnyk started his career] for the first time this year, and I just used that experience to make the picture small and not worry to much about the situation and concentrate on the game."
In fact, after scoring the only goal for Arizona, Dubnyk's ex-teammate Antoine Vermette was trying to convince him to let a couple more in.
"Vermette, when he was skating to the bench said to me, 'Give a couple more goals.'" Dubnyk said with a sly grin on his face. "I told him, 'I can't tonight, maybe next time.'"
Having his first game at Xcel come against the team that traded him away, Dubnyk was just happy to finally be part of the State of Hockey.
"You hear rumors around the league, and when I found out I was traded, I figured Minnesota was the place I was going." Dubnyk said. "I know people who have played here, and everyone speaks so highly of it. I always thought from the start of my career this would be a cool place to play."
Being in the Wild locker room Saturday night, you could just tell there was a different feel than there was during the previous home-stand. Getting a much-needed win will do that but, for the players, you could tell that they are glad to have a goaltender who gives them a chance to win.
"Dubnyk has been great for us the last two games." Charlie Coyle said. "He has fit right in and given us confidence. It makes things a little easier playing right in front of him."
Dubnyk realizes this is a great opportunity for him and is hoping to bring some much needed stability in net for the Wild.
"I don't need to come in here and try to be a hero and save the day. I just want to be solid in net." Dubnyk said. "I know this is a great hockey team. I've seen them play lots of games. I just want to come in here and make the saves I need to make."
The wins over Buffalo and Arizona couldn't have come at a better time, as Minnesota finds itself six points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Buffalo and Arizona are teams the Wild should beat and yet, before the Dubnyk trade, Minnesota fans couldn't say they were confident the team would win against those teams.
It remains to be seen whether or not Dubnyk is the answer in net for the Wild. But right now he is giving Minnesota a chance to win, and that's something the team hasn't had in over a month.
