Suter's Loss

When one considers the most important players on the Wild this past season, the list would look something like this:

1) Eric Staal - His 40 goals have been critical and were some nights the only goals the Wild scored

2) Devan Dubnyk - The goalie is coming into his own, landing his 5th shutout last night

3) Ryan Suter 

Suter was second in the league in time on the ice.  While his offensive stats aren't going to find any leaderboard, his play was critical.  Not only at even strength; Suter was critical for both power play and penalty kill teams.  

Prior to his leg break, Suter was playing some of the best hockey of his career.  His positioning was virtuoso, his passes tape to tape, and his leadership unquestioned.  

The Wild had their first test last night with Suter gone and passed with flying colors.  All three defensive lines played extremely well, and as a result, Dubnyk was rewarded with a shutout.

The Wild will need a similar effort, all playoffs long if they have any hope of going anywhere.  The loss of Suter is a big, big hole to fill.