Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) – Devan Dubnyk stopped 35 shots to lead the
Minnesota Wild to a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.
Thomas Vanek posted a goal and an assist and Charlie Coyle also scored for the
Wild, who have ripped off nine wins in a row on the road.
Minnesota stayed a point ahead of Winnipeg for the top wild card spot in the
Western Conference.
Jake Gardiner scored the only goal of the game for the Maple Leafs, who have
lost their last six games. Jonathan Bernier turned aside 30 shots.
The Wild scored with 1:02 to play in the first off a left circle faceoff win
that saw the puck come to the front of the net and Coyle jam it in for his
11th of the season.
After a scoreless second period, Minnesota added an insurance marker at 9:08
of the third.
Justin Fontaine brought the puck in down the right wing and left a drop pass
for Ryan Suter, who skated down low and backhanded the puck to the slot where
Vanek’s wrister trickled past Bernier for his 19th of the season.
The goal proved fortunate as Toronto got on the board at 13:36 when Joffrey
Lupul’s big blast from the right wing got behind Dubnyk and Gardiner was there
to sweep up the garbage to make it a 2-1 game.
Game Notes
Minnesota plays in New York against the Islanders on Tuesday … Toronto hosts
Florida on Thursday … Toronto was 0-for-4 on the power play, while Minnesota
was 0-for-3.
