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Dubnyk frustrated by shootout officiating: 'It's a mockery'

John Russell / National Hockey League / Getty

Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk isn't happy about the way his team is losing valuable points.

The Wild have lost back-to-back contests to the Nashville Predators by way of the shootout, and Dubnyk doesn't feel the competition is being officiated properly.

"It's a mockery," Dubnyk said after Tuesday's game, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo. "We're trying to make the playoffs. Obviously, I'm frustrated because we're on the wrong side of it but you got a guy standing at the top of the crease not moving, stickhandling back and forth."

Predators forward Ryan Johansen scored the shootout winner in each game, but Dubnyk is not convinced that his tactics are within the rules.

"To me, he's completely stopped ... he shoves (Alex Stalock's) pad in the net," Dubnyk said, reflecting on Sunday's loss. "If he's stopped, he's stopped, but I don't understand how you come in and stop at the top of the crease and stand there and stickhandle and wait."

It was Dubnyk between the pipes Tuesday, with the game yielding the same results.

"And then I'm down and out and he stands there and looks at me while I'm trying to lift my pad up. Still waits, shoots the puck in the net. I don't know what that is."

Here's a look at tonight's winner. We'll let you be the judge.

With the loss, Minnesota drops to 1-4 in the shootout this season. After Tuesday night's action, the Wild hold a two-point lead on the Colorado Avalanche for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

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