Mats Zuccarello was one of the last players to leave the ice at a recent Wild practice. After ditching his helmet and sitting at his stall in the almost empty locker room, Zuccarello began to discuss the Wild.
He explained the effect shedding a recent seven-game losing streak had on the team, how the mood had improved and how everyone was smiling.
"That helps a lot for team spirit," he said.
But the question that got Zuccarello talking wasn't about the Wild; he was asked about himself.
Zuccarello, after all, is the Wild's leading scorer. He had a 10-game point streak that ended Thursday, and his eight-game assist streak was one shy of matching the franchise record. The winger has factored into multiple goals in as many games (six) as he's gone pointless.
This season is on track to be the most productive of Zuccarello's NHL career.
Finally, at the end of his response, he addressed himself — and he didn't even say, "I."
Instead: "You feel good, for sure," is how he put it.