Minnesota defenceman Matt Dumba did a little of everything for the Wild on Wednesday— and his coach took notice.
Dumba scored his third goal of the season in the first period, had a game-saving defensive play in overtime, and seconds later started the breakout that led to Mikko Koivu's game-winner as Minnesota edged the Calgary Flames 3-2.
Left wide open in the slot, Koivu took a pass from Charlie Coyle and skated in on Jonas Hiller and put a shot over his shoulder for his ninth goal of the season at 1:50.
It was Dumba's play seconds before, however, thwarting what looked to be a sure goal for Flames leading scorer Jiri Hudler, that was key.
"I thought that was his best game as a pro, even before that moment," said Wild coach Mike Yeo. "That he can step up in a game like that when we lose a guy and he's able to elevate his game to that level, I'm happy for him."
Opportunity knocked when the Wild lost defenceman Jared Spurgeon two shifts into the game after getting a puck in the face. He did not return with what was called an upper-body injury.
That meant more minutes and responsibility for Dumba, 20, who played a career-high 18:20.
"I believe in my defensive game. Showing it tonight was huge and being able to capitalize on the opportunity I got was awesome," said Dumba, playing his 46th career game.
After Justin Fontaine opened the scoring for Minnesota at 8:40 of the first period, Dumba made it 2-0 less than three minutes later— sending a perfect wrist shot into the top corner.
"It's always nice scoring in Calgary. I remember even back to my WHL days getting a goal in the 'Dome is pretty sweet with your family here." said Dumba.
Minnesota (29-21-7) is one of the NHL's hottest teams lately going 11-2-2 in their last 15 to climb within one point of the Los Angeles Kings, who hold down the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Hudler and Lance Bouma scored for Calgary (32-22-4). The Flames are 6-2-1 in their last nine and with the point, move into sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division— one point up on Vancouver. The Canucks hold two games in hand.
"It's nice to get a point there but, at the same time, we're not happy about it. Our effort wasn't the best to start the game off," said Bouma.
The Flames tied it 2-2 at 10:14 of the third when Bouma beat Devan Dubnyk inside the far goal post with a shot off the wing.
However, they could not complete the comeback as they have so many times this season.
Dubnyk had 35 saves to improve to 11-2-1 with a .936 save percentage since being acquired by Minnesota from Arizona.
"Obviously, we didn't want to give them two and we wanted to win that game in overtime. But to get it there and get that one point and make sure it's not a two-point swing, that's a positive that we can take out of it," said Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman.
The Flames cut their early deficit in half at 17:08 when Hudler deflected Wideman's shot out of the air and through Dubnyk's pads. It was close to being a high-stick but ruled a goal on the ice and the call stood after video review.
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