Yeo defends use of Dubnyk

Devan Dubnyk wasn't the problem in the Wild's 3-2 loss to Washington on Thursday night.

Alex Ovechkin made one stunning play to score a goal, and scored another off a faceoff on a shot that Dubnyk never saw.

In general, it was typical of the Wild's recent losses - by one goal, at home, to a physical team.

Wild coach Mike Yeo has played Dubnyk relentlessly since he arrived. I don't think Dubnyk looked tired on Thursday, but I was curious about Yeo's philosophy, so I asked if he has seen any signs of fatigue from his goalie.

Yeo's full answer:

``I thought he was really good tonight. I don't think we could fault him on anything tonight. I know there's a lot of talk about this right now, but looking at the minutes he's played…

``We just played a goalie of a team that's been battling for first place in the conference, (Nashville's) Pekka Rine, and they played him four games in six days. They've been playing him every day. Carey Price is playing every game. That's where the league is at right now.

For the record, I'm not actually second-guessing Yeo on this. He has one goalie playing exceptionally, and two who can't be trusted. I'd do the same thing.

I do wonder if Dubnyk will wear down, and whether playing every game will catch up with him in the playoffs, if the Wild makes it.

The gap between Dubnyk and the backups is so immense right now, Yeo has little choice but to keep playing Dubnyk.

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Last 3 podcasts this week on SouhanUnfiltered.com: Quincy Lewis, Peter Killen and Michael Russo. Friday night, 6 p.m. at O'Gara's, my guest will be Gophers senior associate athletic director Dan O'Brien, who was born in Winthrop and attended St. Thomas.