Joel Eriksson Ek
2 G • 4 SOG • 16:54 TOI
5/5 Stars
The Yule Log was feeling himself right away in this one, notching the opening goal off of a turnover 19 seconds into the game. Not at all satisfied, Eriksson Ek picked up his second of the game by punching in his own rebound through the legs of Marc-Andre Fleury. Joel once again has the team lead with 10 goals so far this campaign.
Kirill Kaprizov
1 G • 4 SOG • 2 PIM • 17:23 TOI
5/5 Stars
You could just tell Kaprizov was going to find a goal in this game. He was buzzing all night and finally found the goal on a backhand shot on the powerplay. The entire state of Minnesota held its collective breath when Kaprizov went down the tunnel early in the game after taking a puck off the face. Luckily, the Russian Machine never breaks.
Kaapo Kahkonen
24/27 SV • 59:26 TOI
5/5 stars
8 straight wins now for Kaapo. Kahkonen once again out-dueled Marc-Andre Fleury to secure the W for the boys in this one. Kaapo made some incredible saves tonight, and had to survive a late game barrage of shots from Vegas to earn it.
Jordan Greenway
1 A • 1 SOG • 17:52 TOI
4/5 Stars
Greenway made an unreal pass to pick up an assist on Joel Eriksson Ek’s second goal of the night. Greenway found Joel in the middle of the ice from almost an impossible angle. Otherwise, Greenway was up to his usual antics of working hard in the corners and throwing his weight around.
Marcus Foligno
1 A • 1 SOG • 16:48 TOI
4/5 Stars
Foligno had a great night in the defensive zone, making a few key blocks and zone clears that got the Wild out of danger multiple times. Moose also was able to pick up an assist on Joel Eriksson Ek’s second goal tonight.
Kyle Rau
1 A • 5 SOG • 7:57 TOI
4/5 Stars
After getting quite literally almost killed by Brayden McNabb early in the game, Rau settled in and played hard and fast in all three zones. Rau had a few chances that could’ve easily resulted in goals if not for good efforts by Fleury. He was able to find an assist on Carson Soucy’s first of the year, and took a total of 5 shots on goal tonight, good for most on the team. Take a hit, make a play.
Jonas Brodin
22:58 TOI
4/5 Stars
Brodin just keeps playing like the best defenseman on the team. He’s so smooth in all three zones and has complete confidence in himself with the puck. Hard to find anything negative to say about this guy.
Carson Soucy
1 G • 2 PIM • 1 SOG • 13:52 TOI
4/5 Stars
Soucy absolutely hammered home a one timer for his first of the season, which ended up being the game winning goal. Soucy also didn’t back down from anyone in this game, having small scrums with both Keegan Kolesar and Ryan Reaves. This was his best game this season by far.
Nico Sturm
1 A • 1 SOG • 6:59 TOI
4/5 Stars
Sturm had maybe the best pass of the night on his assist to Carson Soucy. He put it right in Soucy’s wheelhouse, the puck was just gift wrapped. Sturm continues to be someone the Wild can have complete confidence in for their bottom six.
Matt Dumba
1 SOG • 23:17 TOI
4/5 Stars
Dumba looked real good in this game, playing fast and defensively responsible. Dumba also challenged Ryan Reaves in a corner behind the play and I’m a big fan of pissed off Dumba.
Nick Bjugstad
1 A • 2 SOG • 13:23 TOI
3/5 Stars
Placed between Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello, Bjugstad was given every opportunity to succeed in this one. Bjugstad played pretty decent, and seemed to mesh pretty well between Zucc and Kirill. Nick won a few big draws tonight as well, hopefully we see more of this from him.
Zach Parise
2 SOG • 2 PIM • 13:52 TOI
3/5 Stars
Parise was pretty quiet tonight, other than a trip to the sinbin. He really didn’t need to do much as Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek drove the offense for the Wild tonight.
Mats Zuccarello
1 A • 2 SOG • 11:07 TOI
3/5 Stars
Good night from Zuccarello, picking up a powerplay assist on Kaprizov’s goal in the third period. Nick Bjugstad as his center seemed to throw off Zuccarello’s timing a bit, but we’ll chalk that up to the new line combinations.
Victor Rask
15:27 TOI
3/5 Stars
Rask didn’t do a whole lot in this game, but he was able to go 72% in the faceoff dot tonight. That’s something the Wild have needed out of their centermen this year.
Ryan Suter
1 SOG • 23:14 TOI
3/5 Stars
Another game in which Suter seemed to take a backseat to some of the other defensemen on the team, and honestly, I’m ok with that. He didn’t do anything to hamper the team and was able to play his game.
Ian Cole
1 SOG • 12:52 TOI
3/5 Stars
Cole once again played sound defense and didn’t try to do too much. Again, this is exactly what the Wild need out of him every night.
Kevin Fiala
14:01 TOI
3/5 Stars
Fiala was pretty invisible tonight honestly. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, I just wanted to see a bit more from him.
Jared Spurgeon
2 SOG • 24:14 TOI
3/5 Stars
Much like the last few games, Spurgeon did everything right and didn’t appear on the scoresheet. Eventually he’s going to break through, hopefully it’s soon.
Nick Bonino
3 SOG • 12:50 TOI
2/5 Stars
Bonino didn’t do a whole lot for the team in this game, and he went 30% in the faceoff dot. That has to be better.