Dubnyk, Koivu lead Wild to 5-2 win over Rangers

The Rangers began the game with Antti Raanta injured and Henrik Lundqvist due for a night off. Lundqvist entered the game with 6:11 left in the first period. It was the Minnesota Wild strength and conditioning coach wondering if he had a few hours on Thursday night to head to the arena to be the Rangers’ backup’s backup. The Rangers are an uncharacteristic 6-5-2 on the road after going 53-25-4 away in Vigneault’s first two seasons. They continue as the biggest wintertime draw in the Twin Cities for one reason: Their product sells.

Devan Dubnyk returns to the Wild net to face the New York Rangers tonight at the X. Last season the Rangers took both meetings with the Wild with both contests being decided by a one goal margin.

Their captain, Mikko Koivu, is 32 but is playing like a man in the prime of his career.

The Wild are 4 for 10 on the power play in the season series after splitting two home meetings. Minnesota defenseman Matt Dumba’s baseball swing at rebound off the chest of Lundqvist with 2;30 to go in the middle period gave Minnesota a 2-0 lead. “We’ll find out a little bit more tomorrow and we, obviously, have to do something cap-wise; we’ve got to call up a goaltender for tomorrow”. “When we can play like that, it’s awesome”. Think about it: Whether the Rangers are winning by four goals or trailing by five, does Moore ever play any differently? The Wild has surrendered only nine goals in eight games in December and has erupted for 11 tallies in victories over Vancouver and the New York Rangers.

Pominville had hit the post earlier in the period after Justin aine and Jason Zucker did so in the second.

Lately, Koivu has inserted himself higher into the narrative. Defenseman Kevin Klein (strained oblique), sidelined since November 30, said he would not play, but was hopeful he could Sunday against the visiting Capitals. “Guys are just making hard plays, good reads, and getting the puck to the net”.

“You always want to produce”, said Koivu, who has seven points in his last two games. “I had more chances, but that’s a good sign, too”.

Jarret Stoll will make his debut with the Minnesota Wild against the New York Rangers at Xcel Energy Center tonight. In his first game back, he helped the Wild to their ninth straight game with a point (6-0-3). If he’s on his game, prepare for one of those frustrating nights where the Wild get plenty of good looks, only to have a hot goalie render them irrelevant.

“For whatever reason”, he said, “I felt pretty confident back there”.

Yeo said he watched from behind the bench as the Rangers cut Minnesota’s lead to 2-1 and later to 4-2 but noted that he was never nervous.