The Minnesota Wild hit the ice again after the Olympic break, taking on the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. With Jonas Brodin still sidelined due to surgery, the Wild were eager to keep their momentum going, riding a five-game win streak into this matchup.
In net for the Wild was Filip Gustavsson, and the opening period saw both teams locked in a scoreless duel. The Wild found their rhythm early, jumping to a lead and fending off the Avalanche's attempts to rally, ultimately securing a 5-2 victory. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from this matchup.
Wild Grind Out a Win
It wasn’t the Wild’s most polished performance, but it was effective. Despite some shaky moments, they managed to find the back of the net while keeping the Avalanche at bay. The team had been practicing since last week, but it wasn’t until the morning skate that they had their full roster together.
There was some rust to shake off, especially for those who didn’t participate in the Olympics. Expectations were tempered for the Olympians, with concerns about fatigue. The game started with both teams finding their footing, but as the pace picked up, so did the Wild’s confidence.
Though they made some errors that could have shifted the game’s outcome, the Wild capitalized when it mattered most, with their Olympians leading the charge.
Eriksson Ek & Boldy Shine
Joel Eriksson Ek, one of the Wild’s Olympians, was instrumental in getting things rolling. He netted two power-play goals, giving the Wild the lead on both occasions. His first came from his sweet spot in front of the net, and the second was a sneaky shot from the corner.
Mats Zuccarello added to the lead, and Matt Boldy chipped in with a pair of goals, including a shorthanded empty-netter. Despite a late push from the Avalanche, who narrowed the gap with a goal, Boldy’s second empty-netter sealed the deal.
When the Wild needed a spark, Eriksson Ek and Boldy delivered against the league’s top team. While neither squad was flawless, the Wild had the edge when it counted.
Gustavsson’s Heroics
The standout performer of the night was undoubtedly Filip Gustavsson. He was a wall in net, making 44 saves on 45 shots, boasting a .978 save percentage against stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. His performance was even more remarkable considering he played while under the weather, leaving the game in the final minute after getting sick on the ice.
Gustavsson’s resilience was crucial, and the hope is that whatever bug he caught passes quickly, as the Wild have a packed schedule ahead. Keeping the roster healthy will be key for their postseason ambitions.
The Wild can’t rest on their laurels, though. They’ll face the Utah Mammoth next in the second half of a back-to-back, aiming to extend their win streak to eight games. It’s a quick turnaround, but the Wild are looking to keep their momentum rolling on the road.