Wild Fall in OT Despite Boldy’s Return, Marchand’s Heroics Seal It for Panthers
ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Wild had the puck, the personnel, and the pressure in overtime. What they didn’t have was the finish.
Despite controlling most of the 3-on-3 session and rolling out a top-tier trio of Matt Boldy, Quinn Hughes, and Kirill Kaprizov for two of the three minutes, the Wild couldn’t close it out. Instead, a costly turnover by Boldy at the Panthers’ blue line sparked a 2-on-1 the other way - and Brad Marchand made sure it didn’t go to waste, burying the game-winner and handing Minnesota a 4-3 loss at Grand Casino Arena.
It was a tough ending for Boldy, who otherwise looked sharp in his return after missing four games with a lower-body injury. The miscue came on a drop pass from Hughes that skipped off his stick, allowing Carter Verhaeghe to jump the play and set up the rush that sealed it.
“You try to make plays,” Boldy said postgame. “We had a lot of possession, but you don’t want to force anything.
They just capitalized on that one break. I wish I could’ve handled that pass.”
Marchand, back in the lineup after missing seven games with an injury, looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. His second goal of the night sealed Florida’s fifth win in their last seven - and gave the Panthers a big-time boost with their captain back in action.
“You see the puck go in on TV, but the emotion on the bench, in the room - that’s what matters,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. “Getting a guy like that back, you feel it immediately.”
For the Wild, it was another trip to overtime - their 20th of the season, tied with the Kings for most in the NHL. They’ve now gone to OT in six of their last nine games.
Unlike Thursday night’s thriller against Detroit, when Kaprizov played the hero, this one slipped away. Minnesota now sits at 10-10 in overtime contests.
The game itself? Fast, physical, and a little chaotic.
Both teams were whistled for six penalties, leading to a parade of special teams play that disrupted any real rhythm. Each squad went 2-for-6 on the power play, and Wild head coach John Hynes admitted it made it tough to roll all four lines the way he’d planned.
“It felt like even with all the PK time, we had control of the game,” said goalie Filip Gustavsson, who made several key stops throughout.
Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Boldy each scored for Minnesota, and Boldy’s third-period goal looked like it might be the difference. He picked off a Marchand pass at the blue line and took it all the way for a short-handed tally that gave the Wild a 3-2 lead with eight minutes to go.
“It was more of a system read,” Boldy explained. “Just trying to hold the line and make it tough on their entry. Our D and Ek did a great job pushing him wide, and I was able to jump the lane and get the breakaway.”
That kind of read-and-react play is a big reason why Boldy’s been one of the Wild’s most effective penalty killers this season. He’s also tied with Kaprizov for the team lead in goals with 28 - a testament to his two-way value.
“He’s such a skilled player for us,” said Gustavsson. “He drives the offense. We’re lucky to have him back.”
Boldy said the injury had been nagging for a while, and it finally hit a point where rest and rehab were necessary. But he felt strong in his return, logging 22:55 of ice time. Eriksson Ek, in just his second game back after missing six, echoed the same.
“I’m good now,” he said. “Shouldn’t bother me anymore.”
Still, the Panthers responded quickly after Boldy’s go-ahead goal. On the same power play, Sam Bennett tied it up with a tap-in at the net front.
The sequence started with a diving Luke Faber attempt to clear the puck, which instead bounced off Marchand’s shin pad and landed right on Matthew Tkachuk’s stick. He found Bennett, and just like that, it was even again.
“We’re so close to clearing it,” Gustavsson said. “I’m stuck on my post, a bit behind the play, and he’s got an open net.”
“That was the turning point,” Maurice said. “You’ve got veteran guys who don’t dwell on it. They shake it off, get it back, and give us a chance in OT.”
Bennett added: “You can sit back and be frustrated, or you can respond. We chose to respond.”
Quick Hits:
- Boldy’s return reunited him with linemates Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson - a trio that’s found chemistry throughout the season. Danila Yurov centered a third line with Marcus Foligno and Vladimir Tarasenko, while the fourth line featured Yakov Trenin, Nico Sturm, and Vinnie Hinostroza.
- Defenseman Zach Bogosian (lower body) remained out, still listed as day-to-day. David Jiricek played his second straight game, paired with Daemon Hunt.
- Saturday marked Hynes’ 800th game as an NHL head coach, making him just the fourth American-born coach to hit that milestone.
- A scary moment occurred when linesman Steve Barton had to leave the game after a collision on the Wild bench. Panthers forward A.J.
Greer was checked by Jiricek into the bench area, where Barton was seated to avoid play. Greer’s momentum carried him into Barton, who fell backward and hit his head.
The Wild bench quickly flagged down officials, and play was stopped.
- As part of the Wild’s 25th anniversary celebration, Marc-Andre Fleury, Alex Goligoski, and Eric Staal - all former Wild players - participated in the ceremonial puck drop.
Off the Ice:
The NBA postponed Saturday night’s Timberwolves-Warriors game in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a city resident by federal agents. The league cited safety and security concerns in the area, rescheduling the game for Sunday.
The Wild, meanwhile, consulted with local authorities and the NHL before proceeding with their game in St. Paul.
According to a team source, they were assured that fan safety would not be compromised. No moment of silence was held prior to puck drop.
Up Next: The Wild continue their homestand looking to tighten things up in overtime and build on the energy Boldy brought in his return. With the roster nearing full health, the pieces are there - it’s just about putting it together for a full 60 minutes... and maybe a little more.