VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- When the NHL season began, Eric Staal's name was a longshot for the MVP award.
But times have definitely changed.
As his Minnesota Wild (38-22-7) get ready to visit the Vancouver Canucks (25-33-9) on Friday, Staal, 33, is enjoying a career renaissance. He ranks among the league's top scorers with 36 goals, and his name is being bandied about in MVP discussions.
"Start calling him (King) Midas from now on," Wild coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters. "Everything he touches, it turns to gold. I hope (Staal's hot streak) doesn't end.