The Minnesota Wild rolled into Toronto on the first leg of a back-to-back, still missing five key players-Joel Eriksson Ek, Matt Boldy, Marcus Johansson, Zach Bogosian, and Jonas Brodin-but you wouldn’t have known it by the way they played. Coming off a confidence-boosting win over Buffalo, the Wild kept the momentum rolling with a 6-3 victory over the Maple Leafs, showing that even a banged-up roster can find its rhythm when the right guys step up.
Let’s break down how Minnesota pulled off this win-and why it wasn’t just about the goals, but how they were scored, who scored them, and the timely stops that kept Toronto from flipping the script.
Foligno and Tarasenko Take Over
When a team’s missing that much firepower, it needs its veterans to carry the load. Marcus Foligno and Vladimir Tarasenko didn’t just answer the call-they lit up the scoreboard.
Tarasenko got things going early with a power-play goal, setting the tone and putting the Wild on the front foot. He added a second in the middle frame, capping off a dominant stretch that saw Minnesota jump out to a 4-1 lead. Tarasenko’s scoring touch has been heating up lately, and this was another reminder of just how dangerous he can be when he’s locked in.
Foligno, meanwhile, had himself a night to remember. He scored twice in the second period, including one on the man advantage, and was all over the ice in a physical, high-energy performance that embodied what the Wild needed in a game like this. Then came the cherry on top: with the Maple Leafs’ net empty in the final minutes and Tarasenko staring down a potential hat trick, he unselfishly dished the puck to Foligno, who buried it for his first career NHL hat trick.
That moment said a lot about this team. It wasn’t just about stats or personal milestones-it was about rewarding a teammate who’s battled hard and delivered in a big way.
Gustavsson Holds Down the Fort
Filip Gustavsson didn’t face a barrage early, but when the Maple Leafs turned up the heat in the third, he was ready. He gave up three goals on the night, but context matters here.
The first came on a power play-textbook puck movement by Toronto that left Gustavsson with little chance. The second was one he might want back, a rebound that bounced around and eventually found its way in.
But even after that goal gave the Leafs a bit of life, Gustavsson didn’t waver. He locked in, made the tough saves, and held firm when Toronto tried to claw their way back into it.
The third goal? That was Auston Matthews on a breakaway.
When one of the league’s elite scorers gets that kind of space, most goalies don’t stand a chance. Still, Gustavsson didn’t let it rattle him.
He stayed composed, made the stops he needed to make, and ensured the Wild never lost control.
In a game where momentum could’ve easily shifted, Gustavsson’s poise was a major reason Minnesota walked away with two points.
Balanced Effort, Top to Bottom
This wasn’t just a two-man show. The Wild got contributions across the board, and that’s what made this win so encouraging.
Brock Faber, Quinn Hughes, and Kirill Kaprizov each picked up a pair of assists, playing key roles in setting up the offense. Mats Zuccarello added another helper, continuing to be a steady presence in the lineup. It wasn’t just the stars or the hot hands-it was a full-team effort, with everyone chipping in, whether it was on the scoresheet, in transition, or defensively.
After a homestand that felt sluggish and uninspired, this road trip has breathed new life into the Wild. They’ve found a spark, and they’re doing it without some of their most reliable players. That’s not easy to do in this league, especially against teams like Toronto that can punish you quickly if you’re not sharp.
One More Test Ahead
Now the Wild turn their attention to Montréal, where they’ll close out the back-to-back. The Canadiens have been playing strong hockey, and it won’t be an easy matchup. But if Minnesota can keep this level of intensity and production going, they’ve got a real shot at finishing this trip 3-0-a result that would’ve seemed unlikely just a few days ago.
With Foligno and Tarasenko leading the charge, Gustavsson standing tall, and the rest of the lineup stepping up in meaningful ways, the Wild are showing that adversity doesn’t have to equal defeat. Sometimes, it just brings out the best in a team.