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Panthers go 0-for-5 on power play, can’t solve Wild’s Dubnyk.
ST. PAUL, MINN. — Jason Pominville and Zach Parise each scored on assists from Mikko Koivu, and Devan Dubnyk made 26 saves to lead the Minnesota Wild in a 2-1 victory on Thursday over the Florida Panthers.
The Wild improved to 9-1-2 in their past 12 games, all with Dubnyk in net.
Nick Bjugstad scored in his return home, but goalie Roberto Luongo fell to 3-10-2 in his career at Xcel Energy Center as the Panthers started a stretch of seven out of eight games on the road.
Luongo’s record in his past 12 starts also fell to 3-7-2. He stopped 21 shots.
The Wild killed five penalties and stayed perfect shorthanded in eight games since the All-Star break at 22 for 22. They’re fourth in the NHL in penalty killing. The Panthers had eight power-play goals in their previous eight games.
Nino Niederreiter was called for tripping with 1:19 left on Dmitry Kulikov, and Luongo was pulled for a 6-on-4 advantage. But loud boos about the call soon gave way to rousing cheers for the Wild’s fourth straight win at home.
The Panthers scored 18 goals in their first five February games, too, but Dubnyk repeatedly denied their prime opportunities to prompt “Duuuuub!” serenades from the home crowd.
Local product Bjugstad scored midway through the second period to pull the Panthers within one.