Bo Groulx Shines as Maple Leafs Edge Wild in St. Paul
In a thrilling night at Grand Casino Arena, Bo Groulx stepped up in a big way for the Toronto Maple Leafs, netting two goals in a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. This marked Groulx's first multigoal game in the NHL, a significant milestone for the young forward.
Groulx, who began the night with just two goals in 68 NHL games, was recalled from the Toronto Marlies on March 10. Despite a shaky start, he found his groove in the second period, contributing to Toronto's offensive surge.
“Yeah, it felt really good,” Groulx shared post-game. “I thought I had a really tough first period.
I was behind the play. I got surprised by their speed, honestly, and their execution, and came back in the second, and I know I had to regroup.
But obviously to get the win ... it was all around a great effort from everyone.”
Morgan Rielly and Matthew Knies also found the back of the net for Toronto, who are now 2-0-1 in their last three outings. Anthony Stolarz was a wall between the pipes, stopping 36 shots and proving crucial in the win.
“(Stolarz) was very good, very competitive,” praised Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube. “I thought the whole team was very competitive tonight. It’s a good team over there."
On the other side, Vladimir Tarasenko was the standout for Minnesota, scoring twice. Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello each chipped in with two assists, but it wasn't enough to halt the Wild's three-game skid.
Reflecting on the game, Wild coach John Hynes remained optimistic. “I think, yes, the last two games prior to this one we didn't get off to great starts.
But I think, again, when you look through it, we did a lot of things that you could win a hockey game with. Tonight is no different,” he said.
Rielly opened the scoring early in the second period, followed by Groulx's first goal, a deflection that seemed more luck than design. His second, however, was a skillful interception leading to a precise shot.
Tarasenko brought the Wild back within striking distance with two quick goals in the third period, showcasing his elite scoring touch. But Knies sealed the deal for Toronto with an empty-netter, ensuring the Leafs' victory.
“No one’s folding the tent,” Rielly emphasized. “We’re trying to compete, we’re trying to push and play good hockey and win games.
And I mean, you’re not going to win every night, but you want the compete to be there, you want the effort to be there, and I think it has been lately. We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re going to look to build off tonight.”
Notably, Tarasenko reached his 700th career point, a testament to his enduring talent in the league. Meanwhile, Knies continues to impress, nearing his career-high points total from last season.
As the season progresses, both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses, but for now, Toronto can relish a hard-fought victory on the road.