Wild's Eric Staal: Continues recent scoring slump

Staal was denied on a breakaway in Thursday's loss to Columbus, one of his four shots on goal. He has just one tally -- an empty-netter -- in his last 18 games. "I'd like to be a difference-maker and bury one for our team to get us ahead there," he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Analysis:

Staal has just six points in his last 18 games and is averaging just 1.9 shots on goal per game over that stretch. Staal started the season hot with 11 points in his first 12 games, but has really slowed down since the New Year.