In Monday's paper, I focused on Devan Dubnyk's performance this season relative to last year.
The analysis that he has regressed back to career averages this season after a sterling run with the Wild last season was based on stats in all situations, including when the Wild is shorthanded.
It was an apples-to-apples comparison, but there is also this: The Wild's penalty kill has taken a dramatic downturn this season. And when we look at Dubnyk's numbers in only 5-on-5 situations, he compares more favorably to other goalies in the NHL this season and in fact to his own career stats as well.
Maybe Dubnyk has struggled when the Wild is shorthanded or maybe a subpar penalty kill is hurting him. Either way, it's another reason to stay out of the box.
Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. michael.rand@startribune.com.
coach of the year Sporting News named Tubby Smith its men's college basketball coach of the year for the job he's done at Texas Tech. Read the full piece at sportingnews.com.
wrong fit Mike Wallace had more than half his catches with the Vikings in the first four games last year.
