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Analysis

NHL Power Rankings: Eastern Conference Taking Control

By Colin Likas
Nov 21, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate an empty net goal by center Derek Stepan (middle) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the PPG Paints Arena. The Rangers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate an empty net goal by center Derek Stepan (middle) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the PPG Paints Arena. The Rangers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) allows the game winning goal to Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (not pictured) during the overtime period at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Wild 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) allows the game winning goal to Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (not pictured) during the overtime period at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Wild 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 16: Minnesota Wild

Previous: 13th

Season record: 9-7-2

The goaltending is certainly good in Minnesota. Devan Dubnyk is probably leading the Vezina Trophy race with a crazy .949/1.59 slashline. So there has to be a reason Minnesota is absolutely middling and barely in the wild card race.

That would be the offense. Breaking from the mold of some of our previous entries, the offense is letting down the goaltending (New Jersey can relate). Eric Staal and Ryan Suter both carry 13 points, but the team just doesn’t seem to get the puck on net a whole lot.

Minnesota seems destined to be a wild card team yet again.

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