After a rough October that had fans wondering what direction the Minnesota Wild were heading, November brought a serious course correction - and then some. The Wild flipped the script in emphatic fashion, going 11-1-2 over the month and looking every bit like a team that had found its identity.
That turnaround wasn’t about one player catching fire or a lucky stretch of games - it was a full-team reset. Though, if you ask Mats Zuccarello, he might tell you it all started when he returned from injury and the team rattled off back-to-back wins.
Classic Zucc.
But while the whole roster deserves credit for the bounce-back, a few names stood out for their impact, consistency, and clutch performances. Kirill Kaprizov, as always, did his thing - we expect nothing less.
But let’s spotlight three other Wild players who helped drive Minnesota’s resurgence. Here are the Wild’s three stars of November, starting with the third.
Third Star: Marcus Johansson
Marcus Johansson is proving a lot of people wrong - and doing it with style. Coming off a solid-but-unspectacular campaign last season, expectations weren’t sky-high entering this year. But through the first quarter of the season, Johansson has already racked up 20 points - a pace that’s well ahead of the 34 he posted in 72 games last year.
What’s been most impressive is the versatility. He’s bounced between lines, made the top unit click when needed, and helped elevate the second line alongside Matt Boldy.
That duo has developed real chemistry, and it’s showing up on the scoresheet. Johansson’s skating looks sharper, his decision-making more confident, and he’s been a steady presence in high-leverage moments - including two game-winning goals, one in overtime.
And let’s not forget the milestone: Johansson hit the 1,000-game mark this season, a reminder of the experience and resilience he brings to the locker room. For a player whose career seemed to be trending toward a quiet fade-out, he’s found a new gear - and the Wild are better for it.
Second Star: Matt Boldy
Boldy might not have claimed the top star this month, but he made a strong case. He was the Wild’s leading point-getter in November, matching Kaprizov with 10 goals and adding seven assists for a total of 17 points. That’s the kind of production Minnesota was hoping for when they committed to him long-term - and now, he’s delivering.
What’s really stood out is the edge in his game. Boldy’s playing with more assertiveness, pushing through defenders instead of skating around them.
He’s winning puck battles, getting to the dirty areas, and creating chances with both skill and grit. On the power play, he’s been a fixture on the top unit and a consistent scoring threat.
This is the version of Boldy the Wild envisioned - a dynamic winger who can change the game with a single shift. He’s not just riding shotgun on a hot line; he’s driving play, setting the tone, and showing that he can be a go-to guy when the team needs a spark. If this is the new normal for Boldy, Minnesota’s offense just got a lot more dangerous.
First Star: Jesper Wallstedt & Filip Gustavsson
Yes, we’re bending the rules here - but when your goaltending tandem is this good, it’s hard to pick just one.
Let’s start with Jesper Wallstedt. The young netminder came into the season with plenty of hype but not much NHL experience.
Early on, there were some jitters, some growing pains. But in November, Wallstedt looked every bit like the future franchise goalie the Wild hoped he’d be.
Three shutouts in a single month? That’s not just good - that’s elite.
He’s tracking the puck well, controlling rebounds, and playing with a calm confidence that’s rare for a goalie his age.
Then there’s Filip Gustavsson, who’s been the steady hand Minnesota needed. He opened the season with a shutout back in October and added another in November, showing that last year’s breakout wasn’t a fluke. He’s been sharp, composed, and reliable - everything you want from your 1A in a two-goalie system.
Together, Wallstedt and Gustavsson have formed a formidable tandem that’s not just keeping the Wild in games - they’re winning them. The internal competition has been healthy, pushing both goalies to raise their level. It’s the kind of “problem” every team wants: two netminders playing at a high level and making each other better.
The Wild’s November was a statement - not just to the fans, but to the rest of the league. After a sluggish start, they’ve found their rhythm, their confidence, and their identity.
Johansson’s resurgence, Boldy’s breakout, and the goaltending duo’s dominance were all central to the turnaround. If they can carry this momentum into December, Minnesota might just be one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference.