The bulk of the Wild's success during its five-game win streak has come on home ice and with the team surrendering the first goal of the game.
But in coach Bruce Boudreau's mind, the latter will have to change to extend the run – and the former will, too, since the Wild begins a stretch of seven straight road games Monday in Vancouver against the Canucks.
"It's not a good formula to keep a winning streak going, that's for sure," Boudreau said of the team's knack for falling behind before rallying. "I think we're playing with fire. The way we're going about it, we've been successful but they're [mostly] at home. Sometimes you get the crowd behind you in the third period, and it's a little easier. But I don't think we're going to get that. We have to play a much better game if we're going to continue this."
Opponents have scored the first goal against the Wild in seven of the team's last eight matchups; the Wild has struck first just three times this season.
Still, it's persevered to go 5-1-1 when giving up the first tally.
But as the road team, building a lead will be key; same with other details, Boudreau mentioned, like cutting back on penalties and assembling a strong first period.
"Anytime you're on a long road trip," Boudreau said. "you'd certainly like to be successful in the first one. It would set the tone."
Goalie Devan Dubnyk is slated to start against the Canucks, but that doesn't mean backup Alex Stalock will appear Tuesday in Edmonton vs. the Oilers.
