Marc André Fleury made several grade-A saves and had the assist on the overtime game-winner to lift Minnesota past the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, 3-2. The Wild were outplayed the majority of the game, but thanks to the 'Flower', the Wild came away with two critical points that and it kept them tied for second with St. Louis.
Kevin Fiala continued his torching stretch of scoring and has made Guerin's decision on what to do in the offseason incredibly difficult.
BADER'S TAKE:
Bill Guerin, Minnesota Wild GM, has to keep Kevin Fiala no matter the cost.
Kevin Fiala has a career-high 28 goals. He has been brilliant in his last 10 games, scoring eight goals in those games with four in the past two games. He had another two-goal game tonight to follow up the two-goal game he had on Tuesday.
He doesn't just bring goals. He brings effort, skill, and pace to the team. Ever since the formation of the Fiala - Gaudreau - Boldy line, Fiala has finally shown what he can do when he is paired with other skill payers.
It would be a lot harder to find a replacement for Fiala just based on his skill. It is hard to replace a player that is on pace for 30 goals with plenty of time left in his prime.
It would feel like a crime to ruin the line that has, in some ways, mirrored the Kaprizov - Hartman - Zuccarello line and has given the Wild two lines that can score and take over at any moment.
The Wild have to keep Fiala, even if means trading Dumba.
I love Dumba and value, from a fan's perspective, what he brings to the team and what does for the community. He is a great personality to have in the locker room and is a huge leader.
However, from a hockey analytical standpoint, he tends to get injured a lot.
The bigger reason why I say trade Dumba, is because you should most likely get a first-rounder for him and the Wild have a natural replacement for Dumba in Iowa.
Calen Addison plays the same side as Dumba, is the same handiness, and similarly plays the game. He would also be cheaper, whereas Dumba is up for a big pay raise. With the pending cap constraint, the Wild will have to get younger and cheaper in the next four years.
It just makes sense. The Wild does not have a natural replacement for Fiala.
The argument is there that Marco Rossi is the replacement for Fiala, however, I just think there is more confidence and similarities to Dumba in Addison's game.
Game Recap:
The Minnesota Wild started the game under national attention exactly how you'd want to start. They came out fast, physically, and determined to put their mark on the game.
Kevin Fiala continued his hot play and scored two minutes into the game to give the Wild the early lead.
The goal was the Wild's 264th goal of the season, a new franchise record. The Wild are fourth in the NHL with 3.65 goals per game, second in the West behind Colorado.
Boldy assisted on the goal and now has 31 points in 38 games. If he played more this season, he would've been a sure thing for the Calder.
The Wild did a good job at limiting chances in the first period, but Fleury still had to be sharp and made 13 saves.
The second period started and the ice was tilted in favor of the home team almost immediately.
Minnesota came out slow and started to make too many penalties.
Brodin tried to pass to Kulikov behind the net and it was intercepted by Hintz, who sent it out front. Robertson, wide open in the front, scored on his rebound to tie the game at 1-1.
Shortly after, Hartman got a slashing penalty to put the Wild back on the penalty kill.
Fiala scored a shorthanded goal to give the Wild the lead again, 2-1. It was his second of the night.
It was the Wild's second shorthanded goal of the season and Fiala's first career shorthanded goal.
Minnesota killed the penalty and then went right back on the kill, this time Kulikov took a high sticking minor.
The Wild were able to capitalize on their few chances and got excellent goaltending, they somehow managed to get to the third with a one-goal lead.
They needed to pick up their play or hope that Fleury continued to play lights out.
However, Dallas turned their level of play up a notch.
Robertson scored his second of the game early in the period to tie the game at 2-2. It just squeaked past Fleury.
The third period was controlled by the Dallas Stars.
With six minutes left in the game, it was still tied 2-2, in large part to excellent play from Fleury.
The Wild were able to hang on in the final minute and push the game to overtime.
It was a brutal third period for Minnesota, they only had three shots in the third period.
Fleury made a heads-up play and came out of his net to find Gaudreau who only had to beat Robertson and he did just that then found the back of the net on a beautiful snipe. It was Gaudreau's first OT winner.
Fleury kept the Wild in the game and then he made the great pass to lead to the winner. He is 5-0-1 with the Wild.
What's Next:
The Minnesota Wild will face off with the St. Louis Blues on Saturday in an afternoon game that could be an early decider on who finishes in second place. The Wild have not been able to solve the Blues, but they will need to on Saturday if they want to have home ice in the first round. The Blues beat the Sabres and so the Wild and the Blues are still tied for second with 98 points, Minnesota has one game in hand. St. Louis is 11-1-1 vs. the Wild in the last 13 games.
Saturday, April 16, 2022. at 2:00 p. m. central time
Author: Alex Bader
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