Wild's Dubnyk returns vs. Coyotes after 15-game absence

Minnesota Wild netminder Devan Dubnyk returned to the crease Thursday night versus the Arizona Coyotes after missing his club's last 15 games.

Dubnyk was away from the Wild for the past month to be with his wife, who suddenly fell ill in November. He occasionally practiced with the team but didn't travel or appear in a game since a Nov. 16 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Minnesota's undergone a massive turnaround in Dubnyk's absence, collecting 21 points in 15 contests - the second-highest total league-wide over that span. As a result, the Wild currently sit three points out of a playoff spot despite a dreadful start to the campaign.

Dubnyk, 33, has been nowhere near his best this season, posting an .893 save percentage in 14 games.