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Wild's Dubnyk calm amid current slump: 'I've been through much worse'

Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Today Sports

Perspective is important.

It's no secret Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk has struggled of late. Over his past eight appearances, he's posted a 1-7-0 record while allowing 22 goals on 176 shots, good for a save percentage of .875. As a result, his overall numbers have taken a hit, potentially removing him from the Vezina Trophy conversation.

To his credit, he's not sweating it.

"I’ve been through much worse than this," he said, per Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "I’ve got no problems about getting out of it."

Indeed, there was a time when Dubnyk's NHL career seemed to be on the verge of an early end. He showed flashes but was ultimately unable to make his mark with the Edmonton Oilers - who drafted him 14th overall in 2004 - and was subsequently bounced around between a few other teams on the trade market.

He found his game with the Arizona Coyotes to begin 2014-15, and grew into one of the game's top goalies after being traded to Minnesota, winning the Masterton Trophy in 2015 for exemplifying qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication, and also earning a nod as a Vezina finalist.

Dubnyk's play with the Wild and the club's commitment to him has continued to be mutually beneficial over the past couple of seasons, and despite the personal slump, he's much more concerned with helping the team achieve its goals of winning when it matters most.

At this point, the Wild are locked into the second spot in the Central Division and therefore home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. Working out the kinks before then is key for Dubnyk.

"It’s a save here and there," he added. "It’s not far off."

Neither is the postseason.

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