By Dakota Case -
The Minnesota Wild seem to be on a roll these days. With four wins in a row, the Wild would like to extend that streak through the week. Speaking of this week, Minnesota kicks it off third in the Central Division with a 15-8-4 record and 34 points in 27 games. The team sits six points behind first place Chicago, but does have three games in hand, making that lead essentially a wash. Winnipeg is fourth in the division with 29 points, while Nashville and Dallas follow with 28 each.
This Week's Schedule
Tuesday, December 13th - Minnesota Wild vs Florida Panthers 7:00 PM CT (FS-N, FS-WI, FS-F)
Thursday, December 15th - Minnesota Wild @ Nashville Predators 7:00 PM CT (FS-N, FS-WI, FS-TN)
Saturday, December 17th - Minnesota Wild vs Arizona Coyotes 1:00 PM CT (FS-N, FS-WI, FS-A+)
Game of the Week
Florida is battling for a playoff spot in the East, and Arizona is fighting to tread water in the West's cellar, which makes Thursday's little trip to Smashville this week's no-brainer GOTW. Plus, there's P.K. Subban, am I right??
Key Player of the Week
Defenseman Mathew Dumba has faced his fair share of criticism in his development on the defensive side of the game. That said, he enters the week on a two-game goal streak, and is well on pace to easily post the best statistical season of his career. In 27 appearances, the 2012 seventh overall pick has four goals, 10 points and a plus-8 rating and is averaging 20:31 per night this season. He's tied with Ryan Suter for the team lead in goals amongst defensemen, while his 10 points are tied with Jonas Brodin for second amongst Wild defensemen and his plus-minus rating is good for third on the blue line behind Suter and Jared Spurgeon. It's not bad numbers, then again, it was a pretty good week, too.
Key Opponent of the Week
Mike Smith has had a rough couple years, namely 2014-15 when he went 14-42-5 with a 3.16 goals against average and a .904 save percentage in 61 games. Arizona is once again at the bottom of the heap, but don't blame their big netminder. Smith has a highly impressive .931 save percentage through 13 games. Unfortunately, the team around him has left him out to dry for just five wins and a 2.56 goals against. Minnesota should get the win Saturday, but don't expect Smith to make anything easy on the Wild attack.
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