Darren Eliot's Line Analysis: Wild D

Devils O | Devils D | Senators O | Senators D | Mighty Ducks O | Mighty Ducks D | Wild O | Wild D

Top Defense -- Willie Mitchell-Nick Schultz
Mitchell is the Wild’s No. 1 stopper, playing a physical game against the opposition’s top offensive threat. Schultz is a composed young player who can skate the puck out of the zone and is equally adept at making the first outlet pass out of the zone.
Second Defense -- Andrei Zyuzin-Filip Kuba
Both of these defensemen have played remarkably well for the Wild. Minnesota claimed Zyuzin on waivers from New Jersey and he has played the best hockey of his career with the Wild, particularly when paired with the underrated Kuba. Both of these guys play in all three situations—even strength, or on the penalty kill or power play—the only Wild defensemen who are versatile enough to do so.
Third Defense -- Lubomir Sekaras-Brad Brown
Sekaras and Brown get spot duty depending on the game flow. Sekaras plays a bit on the power play, while Brown sometimes serves on the penalty kill. Overall, though, Lemaire uses him much less than the other five defensemen. As a result, Lemaire mixes his parings throughout a game.
Special Teams
The Wild work their power play from behind the net, with Brunette set up as the quarterback. He makes plays down low, keeping pucks alive and finding his teammates as they move to the openings, usually Gaborik from the half-wall on the right wing and Ronning from the point.