Wild sharpens playoff edge in shootout loss to Predators

NASHVILLE -- The Minnesota Wild hasn't clinched a playoff spot yet. But it seems like every game it plays is a playoff-type atmosphere.
Take Tuesday's game at Bridgestone Arena against the Nashville Predators.
For 40 minutes, the Predators allowed next to nothing in the way of offensive chances. The Wild had just 11 shots on goal, with few -- if any -- quality scoring chances.

But Minnesota got timely saves from its goaltender Devan Dubnyk while its penalty kill eliminated four Nashville power plays in the second period alone, a mixture that bought enough time for the Wild's Mr. Clutch to come through again late.
"It was a tough game. There wasn't a lot of room. It was tight both ways, which was to be expected," said Wild forward Eric Staal. "This was a tough building to play in anyway and they were coming in after I think three losses in a row, so we knew they were going to be good and they were. But we stayed with it all night, we were real competitive."

It was Staal's goal with just over three minutes remaining that got Minnesota on the scoresheet for the first time, tying the game at 1-1 and delivering the Wild a critical point in the standings.
With Colorado idle, the St. Louis Blues won in overtime. So did the Dallas Stars. That put the pressure on the Wild to salvage something -- anything -- out of its trip to Nashville, the Western Conference's top team.
Staal's late goal assured the Wild of at least one, pushing it ever closer to a sixth consecutive playoff berth.
Yes, it's cliche, and players in the dressing room are sick of answering the question. But any point this time of year is valuable.
"We need to and you want to now. You don't want to wait going through the gauntlet in California at the end of the season - Watch: Dubnyk's amazing pad save keeps Wild in it