Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Devan Dubnyk stopped 33 shots to lead the Minnesota Wild in a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
Justin Fontaine and Erik Haula had a goal and an assist, while Jason Pominville also scored for the Wild, who have won five of their last six.
"The confidence is growing every game and it's great to play with these guys," said Haula. "We've got to make sure we start fast and get the shifts going."
Maxime Talbot had the only goal of the game for the Avalanche, who had won three of four coming into the game. Semyon Varlamov allowed all three goals on 32 shots in defeat.
"One goal isn't enough, but the guys played hard," said Colorado forward Jarome Iginla. "It was a big game for both teams tonight and both sides played hard, but we need to win if we want to get in the playoffs."
The Wild got on the board at 10:49 of the first when Haula's sharp angle shot from the left side found its way in for his seventh goal of the season.
Colorado tied the game at 1:32 of the second as Talbot was able to push the puck in after Dubnyk misplayed a dump-in and the puck wound up coming out front.
Minnesota, though, got the goal back at 9:09 of the second on a rush play that saw Haula skate in down the left wing and fire the puck over to the right where Fontaine wristed it in for his eighth of the year and a 2-1 lead.
The Wild gave themselves some insurance at 5:50 of the third as an outlet pass from Mikael Granlund went down the right wing for Pominville, who snapped a wrister past Varlamov for a 3-1 lead.
Dubnyk stood tall in the third, stopping 16 shots to help his team to the victory.
Game Notes
Minnesota hosts Ottawa on Tuesday ... Colorado hosts Pittsburgh on Wednesday ... Colorado failed to score on any of its seven power play chances, while Minnesota went 0-for-3 ... Minnesota had blanked Colorado in the three previous matchups this season.
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