Jets vs. Wild, MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

“I know I can score goals”, he said. “This is a tough go that we have but we have to stay together through it. That’s the only way we can come out on the other side”. “Bruce is a motivator”.

Jets defencemen Toby Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien dynamic duo strategy implemented by coach Paul Maurice delivered satisfying results as the Jets seemed more engaged and in control so it is like we will see more of this pairing-tactic.

From this point forward the Wild absolutely speed-bagged the Ducks to the tune of a 53-25 shot attempt advantage through the first two periods.

The Wild were the dominant team in the first period, outshooting the Ducks 15-3.

“They got frustrated and ended up taking penalties and that worked in our favor, too”, Carter said.

Defenseman Matt Dumba, left winger Thomas Vanek and center Ryan Carter scored for Minnesota (5-1-1), which had lost 10 of its previous 11 games to the Ducks.

“It’s huge”, Vanek said of his fourth goal of the season. With their next game Monday against the champion Blackhawks, the unavoidable question is how much longer he will give Boudreau to get his team on the right path.

Carl Hagelin also almost potted a goal off a rebound in a scoreless game, but Charlie Coyle went into a butterfly and did his best Dubnyk impression by saving the goal.

Carter then added further insult by scoring a shorthanded goal with 1:35 left in the second after the Ducks gained their first power play.

Dumba nearly doubled the Wild lead a minute later when he had a wide-open shot at the net, only to have Andersen swat the puck out of the air with a flailing stick save.

It was the first time the Wild beat the Ducks at home since February 18, 2011. The Ducks certainly have the pieces to ratify this in a hurry and put this ugly stretch behind them but a road match up against the Hawks isn’t exactly an easy recipe for success and while Chicago is without Duncan Keith the Hawks have won both games without him and are favoured to do it again here.

Anaheim, which took five of the game’s six penalties and hobbled away from the X with a 1-5-1 mark, recorded its lone victory against Minnesota a week ago. Their struggles have resumed since. “If they’re frustrated and you can play off of that, you do, you recognize it, and I think that’s what happened out there”. “You have to make sure that frustration doesn’t creep in”.