Wild scouting report: Healthy and looking for more

Will the Wild rediscover its midseason form? Will Mike Yeo gain ultimate revenge against the team that fired him? Will Bruce Boudreau end that playoff hex, especially if there's a Game 7? These and many more questions will begin to be answered Wednesday night when the Wild opens the first round vs. the St. Louis Blues. Staff writer Michael Russo breaks down the matchup.

WILD SCOUTING REPORT

KEY PLAYERS

Mikael Granlund, RW

Thriving with his move from center to wing, Granlund scored a career-high 26 goals, and his 69 points were tied for the fourth-best single season in Wild history. He's undoubtedly the Wild's best playmaker and most skilled player.

Devan Dubnyk, G

Dubnyk is one of four NHL goalies to reach 40 wins, and the Wild needs him to play like he did in his first 27 starts. Through Dec. 29, Dubnyk was 18-6-3 and ranked first in the NHL with a 1.58 goals-against average and .947 save percentage and didn't give up more than three goals in a game. Since Feb. 1, his .904 save percentage is worst of any playoff No. 1 goalie other than San Jose's Martin Jones (.903) and his 2.82 goals-against average is worst of any playoff No. 1 goalie.

Ryan Suter, D

Tied with Jason Zucker with a league-best plus-34, the Wild's chief minute-muncher will see tons of ice time against St. Louis' top line. Along with partner Jared Spurgeon, they'll need to be good, and Suter in particular will be relied upon to get the puck up and through on the power play.

MUST STEP UP

Zach Parise, LW

After missing the playoffs last season because of a back injury, Parise missed 13 games this season due to lower-body injuries, strep throat and an eye injury. His 19 goals and 42 points was his lowest output in a non-lockout or injury-demolished season since his rookie year in 2005-06.

X-FACTOR

Eric Staal, C

The 2006 Stanley Cup winner had his best season in five years with a team-leading 28 goals and 65 points. He pivoted a terrific line in the past few weeks with Nino Niederreiter and Parise, and they'll face tough matchups through the series.

BREAKING IT DOWN

Offense

One of the most balanced teams in the NHL, the Wild scored 3.21 goals per game (second in the NHL), had 13 players with at least 10 goals and five with at least 50 points. Granlund, Niederreiter, Zucker, Charlie Coyle and Martin Hanzal all established career highs in goals or points. Mikko Koivu had his most productive season since 2010-11. When Jason Pominville may start on the fourth line, you're fairly deep up front.

Defense

Must be better. Since Jan. 1, the Wild ranked 20th in the NHL at 2.87 goals against per game. The second and third pairs can be erratic, and Marco Scandella-Matt Dumba especially must find the right balance between smart/safe and aggressive. Scandella can be all over the map in his own zone, and Dumba can destroy breakouts or entries with bad puck decisions. But their high-risk game can lead to high rewards, too.

Goaltending

Dubnyk, despite his late-season struggles tracking the puck and fighting for position, is the guy. The elephant in the room, however, is there's little doubt the coaches are worried about his game lately. One big question: If there ever comes a point somebody beside Dubnyk needs to start, does Bruce Boudreau turn to Darcy Kuemper or Alex Stalock?

Special teams

The Wild had one of the best home power plays in the NHL (second at 27.4 percent) and worst road power plays (26th at 14.4 percent). Its penalty kill overall ranked eighth at 82.9 percent. Penalties usually are at a premium in the playoffs, and these are two of the best even-strength teams in the NHL.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Forward lines: Nino Niederreiter-Eric Staal-Zach Parise; Erik Haula-Mikko Koivu-Mikael Granlund; Jason Zucker-Martin Hanzal-Charlie Coyle; Chris Stewart-Joel Eriksson Ek-Jason Pominville.

Defense pairs: Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon; Marco Scandella-Matt Dumba; Jonas Brodin-Christian Folin.

Goalies: Devan Dubnyk, Darcy Kuemper.

Spares: RW Jordan Schroeder, RW Ryan White, D Nate Prosser, G Alex Stalock.

Injuries: None.