For much of their 25-year history, the Minnesota Wild have been known for their gritty, defense-first approach. It's a style that might not make the highlight reels every night, but it's one that has brought them a fair share of success. This "low-event hockey," combined with stellar goaltending, has been the backbone of their strategy, even helping them rebound from a rocky start this season to secure a playoff spot.
However, the downside of this approach is its limitations. When the Wild's goaltending falters, they’ve struggled to outscore their problems, often stumbling against the league's elite and enduring a string of early playoff exits.
But change is in the air in St. Paul.
The Wild are now boasting a roster brimming with top-tier talent, arguably the most skilled lineup they've ever had. With superstars like Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes leading the charge, and Matt Boldy emerging as a star, the team is evolving.
While their goaltending remains solid, it no longer needs to be the nightly savior.
At the Olympic break, Minnesota sits near the top of the NHL standings, tied for the second-most points in the league. This surge is largely thanks to their newfound offensive prowess.
Looking at the Wild's last ten games before the break, the transformation is evident. The team went 8-1-1, with impressive victories over playoff-caliber opponents. Their offense has been the driving force behind this hot streak.
During this stretch, the Wild are tied for first in the league in goals, with 45, and rank in the top ten for expected goals per 60 minutes, shots on goal, high-danger shots, and expected goal differential. This uptick has pushed their cumulative expected goal differential to its highest point of the season.
To see this new identity in action, consider their last game before the break against the Nashville Predators. The Wild triumphed 6-5 in overtime, despite Filip Gustavsson having an off night in net.
Nashville managed 3.151 expected goals but scored five times. In past seasons, such a game might have been a loss, but Minnesota's skill carried them through.
Matt Boldy was the hero, notching a hat trick and a four-point night.
Boldy's standout performance underscores what's different about this team. They now have the high-end talent to win games even when their defensive structure falters.
In their last ten games, three Wild players are among the league’s top 15 scorers. Kaprizov and Hughes are tied for second with 18 points each, while Boldy is 13th with 14 points.
Hughes, in particular, has been a revelation, excelling as a playmaker. He's second in the league in assists, with 16 in the last ten games, and has amassed 31 assists in 26 games since joining the Wild.
While star power is driving much of this success, the Wild's depth has also stepped up. Historically, Minnesota has struggled with secondary scoring, but recent contributions have been encouraging.
Vladimir Tarasenko has been on fire, tallying seven goals and three assists in the last ten games. Mats Zuccarello, benefiting from his chemistry with Kaprizov, has added 12 points in the same span.
Overall, the Wild have 12 players averaging at least half a point per game over these ten games. This balanced attack makes them a formidable force, capable of overwhelming opponents with waves of offense. And with the trade deadline looming, there's potential for even more firepower if GM Bill Guerin makes a move.
Despite the offensive surge, the Wild haven’t abandoned their roots. Defense and goaltending remain crucial, but they’re no longer the sole determinants of victory. Minnesota can now win tight 2-1 contests and high-scoring 6-5 thrillers alike.
This stylistic evolution lifts the Wild from the confines of "low-event" hockey. They’ll face tough competition in the playoffs, but with their enhanced skill set, they're better prepared to tackle those challenges than ever before.