The Minnesota Wild picked up a 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabers on Thursday night – giving the team a 5-2-1 record on the year. Here’s a look at three key stats that show why they’re off to such a hot start.
16 goal-scorers
Minnesota is also in first place in the Central Division while getting production from the entire team. Every skater on the Wild’s roster has at least 1 point, and the team had 16 different goal-scorers.
#mnwild through 8 games: Atop Central Division with 11 points (5-2-1). Every forward & defenseman has a point. #NHL-best 16 goal scorers.
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) October 28, 2016
1.67 GAA
They’ve also gotten stellar goaltending from Devan Dubnyk, who leads the West with a 1.67 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage.
In fact, since the Wild acquired Dubnyk in January 2015, he leads the NHL in shutouts and is second in wins, SV% and GAA during that stretch.
Since 1/15/15, Dubnyk is 62-36-9 w/2.12 GAA, .925 SV%, 11 SO in 111 games w/#mnwild and leads #NHL in games and SO…2nd in wins, SV%, GAA
— Aaron Sickman (@asickman19) October 26, 2016
27 goals
Another statistic the Wild are leading the way in: goals scored. They enter play on Friday Oct. 28 atop the Western Conference with 27 goals.
Ryan Suter is tops on the Wild with 9 points this season. He’s also tied for the team high in goals with Eric Staal and Charlie Coyle at 3.
Minnesota has a big test on Saturday night when they welcome the Dallas Stars – which knocked the Wild out of the playoffs last season, and feature two premiere players in Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
