Coyle, Wild continue ascension in Central Division

Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle joined NHL Live to discuss how the Wild have turned their season around since sitting in last place in the Central Division in January.

Coyle had the second two-goal game of his career in the Wild's 3-2 overtime win Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. It was Minnesota's third win in four games and a franchise-record eighth straight win on the road. The Wild are 19-10-5 on home ice and 20-14-2 away from Xcel Energy Center, where they play the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

"It's always a disadvantage being an away team and we have to step things up," Coyle said. "I don't know if it's the mindset that we have going [on the road] but it's definitely been working for us. We have to bring that same mindset home and do the same thing there."

The Wild are 8-2-0 in their past 10 games and a League-best 18-4-1 since the All-Star break. They lead the Winnipeg Jets by three points for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference and trail the Predators by nine points in the Central.

Minnesota's ascent up the standings coincided with the trade for goalie Devan Dubnyk on Jan. 15, when it was in last place and losers of four straight games.

"It was a pretty bad time for us," Coyle said. "You definitely during the season go through ups and downs, but we knew we could turn things around. Obviously getting Devan has been great for us. He's stepped up huge for us. He gives us a chance to win every game. He's given us so much confidence and I think that picked up everyone else's game.

"It's been great, definitely been a good team effort for us all the way down the roster from our goalies to the D all the way to the forwards. Everyone has pitched in. We've been through some injuries and guys coming in and out of the lineup. Guys have been stepping up for us."

Coyle has four points in his past four games after scoring one goal in 18. He has 10 goals and 31 points with a plus-10 rating this season.