Don't look now, but the Wild actually has won consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 28 and 31.
Behind six points from the Nino Niederreiter-Erik Haula-Jason Pominville line, a shorthanded goal from Jason Zucker, a 5-on-3 goal from Mikko Koivu and an empty-net dagger by Charlie Coyle (seven goals in the past 11 games and 17 now on the year, one short of Zach Parise's team lead), the Wild improved to 2-0 under John Torchetti.
Haula has nine points in the past 12 games and consecutive two-point games.
He was arguably the Wild's best forward in the final days of Mike Yeo.
"[Yeo] gave me that chance again, and he gave me lots of chances," Haula said. "I feel about as good as I did in the [2014] playoffs. The thinking's out the window. Just playing hockey and trying to do the right things. All the bad thoughts in the back of my head are leaving and the confidence is kicking in."
Pominville picked up his first multi-point game since Nov. 21, Zucker's goal was his first goal in 16 games and Devan Dubnyk made 25 saves, including several huge ones.
Besides the strong play of the Haula line, a couple big story lines tonight.
1) Marco Scandella missed the game with an upper-body injury. He was supposed to see a Calgary doctor tonight and Torchetti didn't have an update, so I'd think he's doubtful for Thursday's game in Edmonton. In fact, maybe the Wild would call up a defenseman just to have as insurance because there's no other D-men on the roster right now.