The Minnesota Wild are officially back in the mix-and they’re not just surviving, they’re thriving.
After stumbling out of the gate with just three wins in their first 12 games, the Wild looked like a team searching for answers. The pressure of a slow start, combined with the weight of Kirill Kaprizov’s massive contract extension, had many wondering if this season was headed off the rails before it even got going.
Fast forward to now, and it’s a completely different story. The Wild haven’t lost in regulation since November 6 against Carolina-a stretch that’s seen them rack up points in 11 straight games.
Their seven-game win streak may have ended in a shootout loss to Buffalo, but the momentum is still very real. This team looks energized, focused, and, most importantly, confident.
**Friday’s win over Colorado? That was a statement.
** A 3-2 shootout victory over one of the league’s top teams proved the Wild aren’t just on a hot streak-they’re playing structured, smart hockey. And a big part of that resurgence is happening between the pipes.
Jesper Wallstedt: The Real Deal
Rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt has been nothing short of sensational. The 2021 first-round pick-acquired after Edmonton traded out of the spot-has been a revelation. In his first nine appearances this season, Wallstedt is unbeaten in regulation with a 7-0-2 record, a sparkling 1.93 goals-against average, and a .938 save percentage.
That’s not just good, that’s elite.
Wallstedt spoke about his excitement ahead of his next start, saying, “It’s going to be fun. I’m very excited.
Haven’t played them. I have only seen them a lot of times on TV and social media.
So I’m excited. It’s going to be probably a good test for us.”
With Filip Gustavsson sharing the crease, Minnesota’s goaltending tandem is giving them a rock-solid foundation. And the defense in front of them?
Just as locked in. The Wild allowed three or more goals only three times in November-and never more than three in any game.
That’s a team dialed in defensively.
Zuccarello and Kaprizov: Still Magic
While goaltending has been a major storyline, the Wild’s top line is doing its part too-especially with Mats Zuccarello back in the lineup. Since returning from a lower-body injury, Zuccarello has helped spark this point streak. The 38-year-old veteran brings more than just experience; he brings chemistry, particularly with Kaprizov.
Kaprizov is heating up in a big way. He’s riding a seven-game point streak and has scored in five straight.
With 31 points on the season (17 goals, 14 assists), he’s pushing into top-15 territory league-wide. If he stays healthy, he’s only going to climb higher.
The Shutdown Line: Quietly Dominant
One of the most underrated aspects of this Wild run is the performance of their shutdown trio: Marcus Johansson, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Matt Boldy. Boldy gets the headlines with his offensive production-eight goals and six assists during the streak-but Eriksson Ek is quietly building a case for Selke consideration.
The numbers back it up. Some of the league’s biggest names-Nathan MacKinnon, Connor Bedard, Sidney Crosby, Sebastian Aho, Jack Eichel, Leo Carlsson, Macklin Celebrini-have seen their expected goals percentage crater when matched up against Eriksson Ek.
Head coach John Hynes praised the group’s two-way effort: “They’re getting some hard matchups, but they’re doing a nice job when they have to be called upon to actually defend or check, so to speak. Their attention to detail is excellent. They’re on top of people.”
More importantly, Hynes noted that they’re not just shutting down opposing stars-they’re forcing them to play defense too. That kind of two-way dominance is the hallmark of a team that can win in the playoffs.
Brock Faber: The Backbone on the Blue Line
On the back end, Brock Faber continues to shoulder a massive workload. The former Calder Trophy finalist leads all Wild defensemen in even-strength minutes and is averaging over 24 minutes a night. That’s actually a slight dip from previous years, which speaks more to the trust the coaching staff has in other defenders like Zeev Buium and Jacob Middleton to take some of the load.
Still, Faber is the guy they lean on in all situations. And with captain Jared Spurgeon setting the tone since a pivotal players-only meeting in late October, this blue line has found its rhythm.
Quick Hits
- Marcus Foligno was placed on IR last Friday with a lower-body injury and is listed as week-to-week.
- Vladimir Tarasenko returned to the lineup after missing seven games.
He logged 12:40 of ice time and recorded two shots on goal in the shootout loss to Buffalo.
- The Wild’s power play is clicking at 24.2%, good for sixth in the NHL as of Monday.
The penalty kill sits at 79%-not elite, but serviceable. That’s an area Edmonton may try to exploit.
- Kirill Kaprizov became the fourth-fastest fifth-round pick or later to reach 200 goals (344 games), joining legends Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, and Pavel Bure.
- Mats Zuccarello notched his 700th NHL point with an assist, becoming the first Norwegian player to hit the milestone and only the third undrafted player in the last 30 years to do so, alongside Martin St.
Louis and Artemi Panarin.
- Jon Hynes took over as head coach on November 27, 2023, and has compiled a 90-63-18 record since then.
- Tyler Pitlick cleared waivers over the weekend. The former Oiler has now suited up for eight different teams since leaving Edmonton in 2016-17.
What’s Next
The Wild kick off a four-game Pacific Northwest road trip tonight. No back-to-backs on this stretch, which should help them manage minutes and keep the momentum rolling.
Last year, the Oilers flipped the script in this matchup, winning two of three against Minnesota-including a rare road sweep. But this version of the Wild is playing with purpose, structure, and confidence.
And with Wallstedt in net, Kaprizov surging, and the shutdown line suffocating opponents, they’re not just a team on a hot streak-they’re a team that looks ready to climb.
Stay tuned. The Wild are making noise, and it’s getting harder to ignore.