Tampa, Florida – Jason Zucker provided all the offense the Wild would need with a hat trick, while Devan Dubynk made 25 saves as the Wild beat the league leading Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0.
“We had some tremendous energy today.” Wild Head Coach Bruce Boudreau said. “We pressured them all night long. When you pressure any team it is tough to make plays. “
“We certainly seem to play our best against the best teams.” Wild Goaltender Devan Dubnyk added. “You could see tonight start to finish we were focused and determined.”
The Wild took away the center of the ice from the Lightning, and forced them to wings for most of the night causing problems for the lightning stars.
Jason Zucker took advantage scoring his 18th of the season halfway through the first period. Zucker deflected a wrist shot by Ryan Donato over the left shoulder of Tampa goaltender Andrei Vasilevsky for a 1-0 lead. Zucker would add two more in the 3rd to complete the hat trick.
“He (Jason Zucker) has always been a streaky player.” Wild Coach Bruce Boudreau. “Last year, he went through droughts, and then he would score 7 goals in a row. We just hope this streak doesn’t end.”
The Wild are have not lost in regulation in eight games, and have a 3 point lead in the Wild Card race over the Arizona Coyotes.
Minnesota plays the slumping Florida Panthers, who have lost 6 in a row, Friday night in Florida.