Granlund gets back on track as Wild sweeps East Coast trip

NEW YORK -- Bruce Boudreau isn't bashful when talking about just how important Mikael Granlund is to the Wild's fortunes.
Granlund, referred to by the coach as the team's best player on more than one occasion, had been mired in a goal-scoring slump that had lasted nearly a calendar month.
But the Finnish winger broke out in a big way on Friday, scoring a pair of first period goals -- and dishing out a pair of assists -- in helping the Wild to a 4-1 win against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The win meant a 3-0 road trip to the New York area, as Minnesota returns home all alone in third place in the Central Division.

"It's always nice to score but you get these times that you're not scoring all the time," Granlund said. "You try to help your team other ways. That happens to everyone. Obviously, it's nice to get some offense going."
When things are clicking, Granlund has the ability to single-handedly steer an offense. As an elite playmaker, when he's on, Granlund seemingly always has the puck on his stick. When the puck is on his stick, he's making those around him better.
It's a rare trait that few in the NHL have.
"He's a guy that when you can see him feeling it, you want to be out there with him and you want to try and get him some touches," said Wild forward Eric Staal. "He seems to make things happen and tonight, the puck seemed to be following him around a little bit once he got that first one.
"He's one of those guys that when he gets the offensive vibes going, he can be a difference maker."

Granlund's surge on Friday was due in part to being put with Staal, Minnesota's leading scorer this season. The two have rarely appeared on the same line, but were put together by Boudreau in an effort to get Granlund off the schneid.
Mission accomplished.
"I thought let's try it for a period and see how it goes," Boudreau said. "And they were pretty good."
After a four-point night for both (Staal assisted on both Granlund goals and scored on a helper from Granlund moments into the third), it's safe to say we haven't seen the last of the duo.
"They will start probably Sunday together," Boudreau hinted with a smirk.

Combined with Staal, who is on pace to have an even better season than he did last year, his first in Minnesota, and guys like Jason Zucker (career-high 25 goals already), keeping Granlund hot down the stretch will be critical if the Wild hopes to remain in a playoff position.
Granlund led Minnesota with 69 points and could approach 60-65 points again this season, despite an injury early in the year that kept him out of five games.
Friday looked like a good first step -- or more like a leap -- in that regard.
"When he's on and he's feeling it like that, every time he touches the puck he's a threat to do something good with it. It was fun to watch," Boudreau said. "Especially after he got his first goal I think he felt a little bit of relief there and he started to go after that."
Granlund was actually announced as the goal scorer for each of Minnesota's first two goals, scored less than two minutes apart late in the first period.
When he scored off a 2-on-1 in the third period, a couple fans even threw their hats on the ice.
For about 20 minutes, Granlund had his third career hat trick and second of the season. Then, with 90 seconds remaining in the game, it was announced that Staal, not Granlund, was getting credit for the Wild's second goal.
Ironically, the announcement came over the arena's loudspeaker as he was getting another grade-A scoring chance in the offensive zone, one turned aside by Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev.
Despite the turn of bad luck, Granlund knew all along his hat trick was only temporary.
"Oh, yeah," he said. "I knew it. Yeah, I didn't hear that [the in-house announcement]. But I don't think it ever hit me so I think it was Staalsy's goal, the second one."

Instead, he'd have to settle for a four-point night and a victory.
Not a bad consolation prize.
"When the game is going, you can feel his confidence," Staal said. "He's one of those guys that can do that. Hopefully for him and for us, it continues because it'll be real important for us the rest of the way."
Related:
- Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 4, Rangers 1 - Watch: Staal scores off redirection in front - Watch: Staal buries feed from Parise