Recap: Minnesota handles Arizona in 2-1 win

Last week, the Minnesota Wild lost three straight games and found themselves twisting in the wind over their identity. With a win over the New York Islanders and the Arizona Coyotes on the schedule tonight, this seemed primed to be either a get-right game or the loss that would send Minnesota spiraling once more in a season in which they are sorely missing the scoring punch they enjoyed last season.

Given the limitations of this rebuilding Coyotes roster, the former was much more likely, and the boys in green delivered a win that has them back on track after the holiday break.

The first period passed scoreless for both teams. Both teams traded chances back and forth, but the checking was…