Wild continue hot streak under John Hynes with a 6-3 win over Detroit

ST. PAUL - The Wild are playing like a brand new team over their last 15 games than what they played like to start the season. If it wasn't for the Arizona Coyotes comeback win over the Avalanche the Wild would've been in a playoff spot by the end of the night after their 6-3 win over Detroit tonight.

What's crazy about it is the Wild have continued to play the same way they have been playing despite being without three elite-level players. 

“Eh. I think the way we’re just coming out as a team, and supporting each other. We’re breaking the puck out faster. I think anyone who’s put in the lineup, what Hynsey’s doing a good job of is implementing those changes right away, and getting guys to understand their routes and what’s needed." Marcus Foligno said on playing well without three elite players. "Anyone who comes in the lineup understands how Hynesie wants us to play, and I think gets it and moves forward with it.

“Is it huge to be doing this right now with guys out? Yeah, because when we get those guys back. … Usually, when you have a full lineup, you’re going to be a better hockey team. But right now, everyone’s playing their parts, winning one-on-one battles, and it’s been nice.”

The Wild have been without Jonas Brodin for the last eight games but yet have won all but one game. They have been without Jared Spurgeon for seven games and have won six of them and they have been without Mats Zuccarello for five games and have won four of those.

"This is a good test for us to have the caliber of players out of the lineup that we do and guys getting different opportunities to be able to play," Wild head coach John Hynes said. "I think it breeds confidence in the individual players. As you said, I think the exciting thing is, we've seen the depth that we've had, and I think when we play a real strong team game, it gives you the best chance to win. 

"Guys have stepped up, and as you said, eventually these guys will come back. So, I think the potential of the team looks good, but I think on the other side of that is that there's a lot of hockey left to play, and I think that you're gonna get injuries at certain times. So to be able to get that swagger in your game when you do have guys out of a lineup is important.”

Spurgeon has been on the ice for morning skate for the last two games but still isn't ready to go yet. Although he seems like he is more likely to play sooner than Brodin or Zuccarello. 

But it really does feel like a next-man-up mentality type of team and they are embarrassing that fully. 

Ryan Hartman is a good example of that. He started under Hynes as the Wild's fourth-line right wing after playing some first-line center under Dean Evason but now with injuries, Hartman has gotten the opportunity to enter back into the top six and play with Marco Rossi and Marcus Johansson. 

“I just think all of his teammates know what he’s capable of, and the offensive side that he brings. So, whether he plays with Kirill and Zuccy … that’s the thing: He can play with anyone," Foligno said on Hartman. "He makes players around him better. He has that poise, can make tough plays in tight, and that buys you some time and gets you another scoring chance. I won’t call him a Swiss Army knife, but he’s definitely someone you can plug here, you can plug there, and he can make a difference and an impact.

“He plays that gritty game, but at the same time, the skill is lost on some people. Our guys don’t take for granted how good he is. He makes plays, and threads needles. He probably could have had three or four points tonight. He was playing pretty special.”

Hartman and Rossi created the second goal for the Wild after they both drove the net hard. James Reimer stopped Hartman's breakaway chance but could not stop Johansson's shot as Johansson streaked in behind Rossi.

Rossi then created Johansson's second goal after he forced a turnover on the Red Wings who were trying to break it out of their own end.

“We played a couple games before Hartzy left. I think we work hard for each other, and on Hartzy’s goal Marco drives the net and just opens that ice up for Hartzy," Johansson said. "It’s little stuff like that that makes it work, stuff that might not get a lot of attention but it pays off for the line.”

Alex DeBrincat scored on the power play in the third period to tie the game at 2-2 but the Wild were able to answer back quickly. Hartman scored just two minutes later and Foligno followed that up with another under a minute later making it 4-2.

The Wild were able to turn around a game, that a month ago they would have lost after DeBrincat tied it, into a huge 6-3 win over the Red Wings. 

“We got some confidence back in the group, and we know that we can score goals to win games," Johansson said. "I feel like the way the game was going we were playing better and better the whole game, too. Coming out of the break, I feel like we built our game up as the game went along. Once you get one or two there, it makes it easier for us and harder for them.”