Dubnyk, Wild Bounce Back In Big Way In Game 5

ST. LOUIS, MO -- The Minnesota Wild have taken a 3-2 lead in the opening-round best-of-seven playoff series against the St. Louis Blues after Friday's convincing 4-1 victory.

The win is especially impressive as it follows an embarrassing 6-1 home loss to the Blues on Wednesday.

The Wild looked to be in jeopardy of losing a second-straight blowout early when Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko beat Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk on a power play goal midway through the first period. The goal was Tarasenko's sixth of the series already.

Rather than curling up in the proverbial fetal position, the Wild bounced back -- scoring four unanswered goals in the remaining 52 minutes.

The first came just three minutes after Tarasenko's goal by Minnesota's Marco Scandella.

The Wild took the lead in the second period with a goal by Nino Niederreiter, then extended their lead to 3-1 just minutes later on a power play goal by Mikko Koivu.

Charlie Coyle added another goal five minutes into the third period to give the Wild an insurmountable 4-1 lead and the eventual win.

After giving up the early goal, Dubnyk absolutely stonewalled the Blues for the rest of the game -- saving 36 of 37 shots-on-goal by St. Louis.

With the win, the Wild have an opportunity to advance to the second round if they can defeat the Blues at the Xcel Energy Center Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

Wild pregame coverage will start on AM 1390 The Fan at 1:45.