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Dubnyk credits new puck-tracking technique for sudden resurgence

Sergei Belski / Reuter

In the midst of his best season as a pro, Devan Dubnyk is crediting more than just a change of scenery for sparking his remarkable turnaround.

The goaltender adopted a new technique last summer called Head Trajectory that significantly changed the way he tracks the puck.

Dubnyk explained the concept to Kevin Woodley of NHL.com:

"It's all to do with your head. It's like closing on pucks. You discover you have to move a whole lot less than you used to feel you need to. It's such small movements forward and just closing off the angle of the puck, and when you start to realize that and you realize how big you are when you put yourself in the right position - and that's a big part of it - you start to feel comfortable and then you can be patient on your feet. You can sit there and let plays happen in front of you and not be going down early, and everything kind of comes with it once you realize how big you are."

Dubnyk has thrived following a trade from the Arizona Coyotes to the Minnesota Wild, posting an 11-2-1 record, .936 save percentage, 1.73 goals-against average and four shutouts in 15 games.

He discovered the new technique while working with former New York Islanders and Rangers netminder Stephen Valiquette before training camp. Valiquette learned the technique from its creator, Lyle Mast, a goaltending consultant with the WHL's Tri-City Americans.

"It's the way we move our head to track the puck all the time," Valiquette said. "And really, it's a foundation that touches all parts of how we play the position. 

"It's that valuable. Working with goalies on this, if they can understand it and apply it, it's the biggest game-changer we are going to see in goaltending, maybe ever. Maybe this is bigger than the butterfly. It will revolutionize and evolve goaltending."

Dubnyk has resurrected the Wild's season, guiding Minnesota to within three points of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference after the club's postseason hopes appeared to be lost.

He has started all 15 games for the Wild since being acquired, allowing more than three goals in a game only once in that span.

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