from Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press,

Wild coach Bruce Boudreau has watched in amazement as his reborn star forward Eric Staal works his way into the Hart Trophy conversation with seemingly every game he plays.

“Start calling him Midas from now on,” Boudreau said. “(Everything he touches) turns to gold. I hope it doesn’t end.”

After popping in two goals during Tuesday’s 6-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, Staal finds himself tied fourth in the NHL with 36 goals this season. He trails only Alex Ovechkin (40) of the Washington Capitals, Patrick Laine (38) of the Winnipeg Jets and Evgeni Malkin (37) of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Asked whether he’ll be keeping an eye on the scoring race during the final 15 games of the regular season, the ever-so-humble Staal unsurprisingly downplayed the entire situation.

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