Three months ago, there were calls for Mike Yeo to lose his job as head coach of the Minnesota Wild.
“Everything” was wrong with the struggling Wild at that time, according to Yeo. His temper got the best of him in a tirade that got caught on video and, of course, made its way onto the Internet.
On Jan. 7, the Wild was 11th in the Western Conference, and 2-4-4 in its last 10 games at the time.
That was in January. It’s now April and the Wild is in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The catalyst for Minnesota’s change in fortune? Goaltender Devan Dubnyk.
Of all the trades made this season, the Wild’s acquisition of Dubnyk from the rebuilding Arizona Coyotes could have the greatest impact in the post-season when it’s all said and done.
In a playoff-clinching situation against the Wild’s Central Division foes, the Chicago Blackhawks, Dubnyk was sharp again, making 32 saves. Minnesota got goals from Mikael Granlund and Jason Zucker, returning to the lineup from a broken clavicle, less than four minutes apart in the third period for a 2-1 victory.
That’s 11 straight road victories for the Wild.
Yeo: the fact that we won 11 straight road games to get ourselves into the playoffs, I mean, that’s unbelievable
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 8, 2015
Playing on back-to-back nights? No problem for Dubnyk.
The Wild clinch a playoff spot with the regulation win.
With the win tonight, #mnwild has clinched a spot in the #NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight season - a franchise-best streak.
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) April 8, 2015
With 2 games left, #mnwild has 98 points - T-2nd for most in team history. Playoff spot clinched after ranking 12th in the West on Jan. 14.
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) April 8, 2015