The Minnesota Wild wrapped up their three-game homestand on a tough note Thursday night, falling 6-2 to the Winnipeg Jets in a game that exposed some glaring issues across the board. Already battling injuries - with defenseman Jonas Brodin placed on injured reserve and both Zach Bogosian and Joel Eriksson Ek still out - the Wild were forced to shuffle the lineup again. While Carson Lambos was called up, it was David Špaček who stepped into the open roster spot and made his NHL debut.
Jesper Wallstedt got the nod in net, returning after starting in Monday’s loss to the Devils. But much like that game, the Wild found themselves chasing from the opening puck drop - and this time, the hole they dug was too deep to climb out of.
Let’s break down what went wrong for Minnesota and what they’ll need to clean up as they hit the road.
Another Slow Start, Another Uphill Climb
For the second straight game, the Wild were behind before they had a chance to settle in. The Jets came out flying, and by the end of the first period, Minnesota was already in trouble.
That early deficit ballooned in the second, with Winnipeg jumping out to a commanding 6-1 lead. The Wild showed a flicker of life after their first goal, but it was short-lived.
This is a team that, during its strong runs in November and December, thrived on energy and pace. They were the aggressors, dictating play from the drop of the puck.
Lately, that spark has gone missing. The Wild haven’t just been slow out of the gate - they’ve looked flat.
That’s not just a systems issue; it’s an energy issue.
Still, the locker room hasn’t lost belief. Defenseman Jake Middleton emphasized that the team stayed mentally engaged, even when the scoreboard was lopsided.
“We’re a very mature team, we’re a veteran team, we knew we were in it,” Middleton said. “We didn’t pout, we didn’t do anything we weren’t supposed to do. We tried sticking to the game plan, but again, they capitalized, we didn’t.”
That’s the mindset you want from your veterans. But at some point, effort and belief have to translate into execution.
Special Teams Breakdown
Discipline has been one of the Wild’s strengths this season - they’ve consistently ranked among the league’s least penalized teams. But against Winnipeg, that identity slipped. Two quick penalties in the first period handed the Jets a 5-on-3, and they took full advantage, scoring the game’s opening goal and grabbing momentum early.
In total, Minnesota took four penalties, and the Jets cashed in on two of them. On the flip side, the Wild had three power play opportunities and came up empty each time. That’s a tough pill to swallow in a game where a single goal early could’ve changed the tone.
Nico Sturm wasn’t overly concerned about the penalty issues becoming a trend.
“It was a game where it happened... we’ve been extremely disciplined the whole year, and we’ll get back to that,” he said.
That’s fair - one game doesn’t define a season. But when special teams let you down on both sides - giving up power play goals and failing to score any of your own - it becomes a tough night to win, especially against a team as opportunistic as the Jets.
Goaltending Woes Resurface
Early in the season, the Wild’s goaltending situation was a question mark. Then came a stretch in November and December where both Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt looked locked in, giving the team a real backbone. But the past few games have been a step back.
Wallstedt struggled again Thursday, and for the first time all season, the Wild made a mid-game goalie change heading into the third. Gustavsson came in, but by then, the damage was done.
Head coach John Hynes didn’t pin the loss on Wallstedt, instead pointing to the team’s need to stay even-keeled through adversity.
“Wally’s been really solid for us... we’ve hit a little bit of adversity here, but that’s what happens,” Hynes said. “You’re going to be up, you’re going to be down. The important thing is to stay level-headed.”
It’s a smart approach. Goaltending slumps happen - especially with a young netminder like Wallstedt still adjusting to the NHL grind.
What matters now is how quickly he and Gustavsson can bounce back. The Wild don’t need their goalies to steal every game, but they do need timely saves - and lately, they haven’t gotten enough of them.
Road Trip Ahead: Time to Reset
With the loss, the Wild now hit the road for a three-game swing, starting Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres have found their footing lately, and they’ll be a tough test for a Minnesota squad looking to regain its form.
This trip could be just what the Wild need - a chance to reset, get away from home ice distractions, and refocus on the fundamentals that made them so effective earlier in the year. But they’ll need a faster start, more discipline, and sharper goaltending to get back on track.
The pieces are still there. The belief is still there. Now it’s about putting it all together - and doing it quickly, before this slump becomes something more.