Devan Dubnyk

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Dubnyk's time with the Minnesota Wild began dramatically on January 14, 2015, when he was traded from Arizona in exchange for a third-round draft pick and a conditional fifth-round pick. The Wild were seven points out of a playoff spot at his debut, but Dubnyk immediately became the starter and delivered a shutout victory over the Buffalo Sabres. He set a franchise record with 39 straight starts, posting a remarkable 27–9–2 record, a 1.78 goals against average (GAA), a .936 save percentage, and five shutouts during that run. His performance fueled a historic streak where he was the winning goaltender in 11 of the Wild's 12 consecutive road wins from February 18 to April 9, tying the NHL record for the longest such run in League history. On April 20, Dubnyk recorded his first career playoff shutout, blanking the St. Louis Blues in a 3–0 victory in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. His resurgence earned him a spot as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy alongside Carey Price and Pekka Rinne. At the NHL Awards Show on June 24, 2015, he received the Bill Masterton Trophy for helping lead the Wild to the playoffs while resurrecting his career. He also finished third in Vezina voting and fourth in Hart Memorial Trophy voting, ultimately landing a spot on the NHL second All-Star team.

In Their Own Story

The turning point came after a struggling start with the Arizona Coyotes. On January 15, 2015, Dubnyk arrived in Minnesota ready to prove himself as Mike Smith's backup, but he quickly seized the starting role. The Wild were eight points out of the playoff picture when he made his debut, yet he responded with a shutout against the Buffalo Sabres. What followed was an unforgettable stretch: 38 straight starts, a 27–9–2 record, and a league-leading 1.78 GAA. On February 18, the team began a road run that would tie a League record for consecutive wins by a goaltender on the road. Dubnyk was the netminder for 11 of those 12 victories, stopping waves of shots through February and March. The pressure peaked in the playoffs when he blanked the St. Louis Blues 3–0 on April 20, securing his first career playoff shutout. His performance culminated at the June 24 awards show, where he accepted the Bill Masterton Trophy for his resilience and led the league in goaltending metrics that season.

Reader's Guide

Fans looking to understand Dubnyk's impact should focus on the 2014–15 season, specifically the period following his trade from Arizona. The source highlights a specific turning point: his debut on January 15, 2015, against the Buffalo Sabres, which was a shutout victory despite the Wild being eight points out of a playoff spot. From there, he set a franchise record with 38 straight starts. Key numbers to note include his 1.78 GAA and .936 save percentage during this run, along with five shutouts. A critical moment was the road winning streak from February 18 to April 9, where he won 11 of 12 games, tying a League record. Another essential stat is his first playoff shutout on April 20 against the St. Louis Blues. His individual accolades include being a Vezina Trophy finalist, winning the Bill Masterton Trophy on June 24, 2015, and making the NHL second All-Star team.

Did You Know?

• Dubnyk was named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Scholastic Player of the Year for the 2003–04 season, recognized as the player best able to combine success on the ice and in school.
• On April 20, 2015, Dubnyk recorded his first career playoff shutout by blanking the St. Louis Blues in a 3–0 victory.
• During the 2014–15 season with Minnesota, Dubnyk was shortlisted as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy alongside Carey Price and Pekka Rinne.
• On October 9, 2011, Dubnyk started his first career NHL season opener, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2–1 in a shootout while stopping 35 shots.