National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 6, New Jersey 2
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Referees: Francois St. Laurent, Dan O'Halloran
Linesmen: Andy McElman, Scott Driscoll
Attendance: 19034

Wild 6, Devils 2: Thomas Vanek scored twice to help Devan Dubnyk emerge victorious in his 200th career start as host Minnesota breezed to its sixth win in seven outings.

Chris Stewart and defenseman Jared Spurgeon each scored and set up a goal and Sean Bergenheim netted his first tally for the Wild, who are 17-3-2 in their last 22 contests. Jason Pominville also scored, former Devil Zach Parise notched two assists and Dubnyk turned aside 30 shots while making his franchise-best 25th consecutive start.

Dainius Zubrus and Scott Gomez each scored and Steve Bernier had two assists for the Devils, who fell for the fourth time in seven games (3-3-1). Cory Schneider yielded five goals on 30 shots before being replaced by Keith Kinkaid (seven saves).

Kyle Brodziak shot wide from the right doorstep but alertly tapped the loose puck back to Bergenheim, who beat Schneider from the slot to open the scoring with 1:03 remaining in the first period. Stewart backhanded home a juicy rebound 13 seconds into the middle session and Spurgeon pinched in and blasted a one-timer from the right circle past Schneider to give Minnesota 3-0 lead four minutes later.

Zubrus scored for the first time in 50 games to put New Jersey on the board midway into the second, but Vanek converted from the doorstep three minutes later to regain the Wild's three-goal advantage. The Austrian wasn't done, as his power-play tally at 8:18 of the third period staked Minnesota to a 6-1 lead.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dubnyk improved to 19-4-1 since being acquired from Arizona. ... New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello elected to reside in the press box for the first time since his team's coaching change. Tommy Albelin joined Adam Oates and Scott Stevens behind the bench. ... Bernier has five assists in his last two contests.
Top Game Performances
 
New Jersey   Minnesota
Steve Bernier 2 Points Thomas Vanek 2
Scott Gomez 1 Goals Thomas Vanek 2
Steve Bernier 2 Assists Zach Parise 2
N/A Power Play Goals Thomas Vanek 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Keith Kinkaid .875 Save Percentage Devan Dubnyk .938
Cory Schneider 25 Saves Devan Dubnyk 30
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
New Jersey 32 2 0-0 3-4 8 28
Minnesota 38 6 1-4 0-0 0 31
Upcoming Games
  • Minnesota will play their next game at home against Anaheim. The Wild have a W/L % of .568 after a win and .533 after a loss.
  • New Jersey will play their next game on the road against Colorado. The Devils have a W/L % of .448 after a win and .395 after a loss.