By Dakota Case -
This Week's Schedule
Thursday, April 14th - Minnesota Wild @ Dallas Stars 8:30 PM CT (NBCSN, TVAS, SN360)
Saturday, April 16th - Minnesota Wild @ Dallas Stars 7:00 PM CT (NBCSN, TVAS, SN)
Game of the Week
The outcome of Game One will have a huge effect on how both teams approach Game Two. Dallas would love to come to St. Paul up by two games, while Minnesota, who has struggled mightily against the high flying Stars offense, will want to get ahead and stay ahead early. A little off topic, but Saturday is also the day I've mentally predicted to get the call for a heart transplant, so say a prayer and keep your fingers, toes (almost typed "Toews" ha!) and eyes crossed for both the Wild and I.
Key Player of the Week
Goaltender Devan Dubnyk didn't see much action in his half of the regular season finale, but he was as sharp as Michonne's katana when he needed to be. Head coach John Torchetti will need him to be if he's going to lead Minnesota past the intimidating Stars, or at least get a leg up on the Western Conference regular season champs.
In three games against Dallas this season, Dubnyk has gone 1-1-1 with a 2.64 goals against average and a very respectable .922 save percentage. He should be fine with consistent goal support, but whether or not he'll get it is the question. Fortunately for the Wild, the hulking netminder is no longer a rookie when it comes to the postseason, so he should improve upon the .908 save percentage he collected in 10 games against St. Louis and Chicago last spring.
Key Opponent of the Week
He doesn't just score and create goals. Seguin drives the puck north and keeps it there, dominating possession with a 54.9 CF% and 54.6 FF%. When the former Bruin is on the ice, the odds are good he'll quickly get the puck and make you work to get it back. How soon he returns, and how effectively Dubnyk and the Wild defense can shut him down, could go a long way in determining who advances to the conference semis.
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