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The Minnesota Wild didn’t let the fatigue from the second half of a back-to-back on the highway cease them. They took down the Edmonton Oilers on Friday evening, Feb. 23; the following evening, Saturday, Feb. 24, they took on the Seattle Kraken. It appeared like it could be an extended evening because the Kraken received a objective inside the first 40 seconds. However, the Wild didn’t again down as they scored a couple of minutes later to tie issues at one.
They added a second objective later in the primary, taking the 2-1 lead into the second interval. In the second, the Wild discovered their scoring energy as they added not one however three extra targets to take a 5-1 lead. They carried that lead into the third interval, the place issues settled barely, however the Kraken did discover a means to pull themselves inside three.
There was a scary second in the third when Joel Eriksson Ek went awkwardly into the boards, however in their postgame press convention, head coach John Hynes said he’d be okay. The Wild had to work laborious to hold their lead, however they did it and got here away with the 5-2 win and one other two factors for his or her playoff hopes. Their prime scorers led the way in which once more, and that’s the place we’ll begin.
Wild’s Boldy & Kaprizov Lead by Example
Sometimes, gamers occur to discover their stride, and that’s an understatement when it comes to Matt Boldy. He began the season with factors however had a scoring drought earlier than Hynes came on board. However, in his final eight video games, he’s gathered 14 factors, which incorporates seven targets. He’s discovered his confidence, and it’s become factors.
Almost the identical will be stated for Kirill Kaprizov, who’s been on his personal scoring streak recently. He, like Boldy, struggled with accidents at the start of the season, and it took a while for them to get going. Kaprizov was dealt one other blow as he was injured partway by means of the season, and that set him again in the scoring division once more.
In the previous eight video games, Kaprizov has turned his scoring up, as he has 18 factors, together with seven targets, similar to Boldy. The Wild have been successful their video games recently due to Kaprizov and Boldy’s success. Hopefully, they’ll sustain the scoring as a result of the workforce wants them.
Wild’s Offense All Over
Apart from Boldy and Kaprizov, the Wild additionally had assist from two different gamers: Marcus Johansson, and the second was one other defenseman stepping up to assist out in Dakota Mermis. It had been some time since Johansson had seen the scoreboard, over a month. His final objective was on Jan. 23 towards the Washington Capitals, however he has been recording assists right here and there.
As for Mermis, he’s performed 39 video games with the Wild, mostly due to accidents to their defensemen, and he’s been spectacular along with his defensive abilities. What’s been shocking is his capability to rating as nicely. He’s registered three targets and 5 assists for eight factors in his first NHL season, the place he’s performed greater than 10 video games.
While the Wild’s main scorers should sustain their manufacturing, they will’t get wins with out assist from the remainder of the lineup, similar to Johansson and Mermis plus Jonas Brodin’s contribution towards the Oilers. They want all of the scoring they will get as they head down this important a part of the season.
Wild’s Special Teams Bounce Back
It was like a brand new energy play in contrast to the evening earlier than after they had 4 probabilities however couldn’t convert. This time, that they had six alternatives and scored on two. It may have been all six with the pictures they had been taking, however each Kraken goaltenders had been in a position to make some huge stops to give their workforce a bit little bit of hope.
Related: Joel Eriksson Ek Is the Minnesota Wild’s Prized Possession
On the opposite aspect, their penalty kill stepped up each occasions they had been examined. Everyone did their half defensively, blocked pictures after they may, and received their sticks in passing lanes. It was an ideal group effort defensively on each the particular groups facet and even energy, which is how they gained the sport. This whole effort should proceed because it takes a workforce, not one participant, to win video games.
Wild Earned Days Off
The Wild could have the following couple of nights off earlier than returning house to face the Carolina Hurricanes, and so they earned their day off. However, they will’t loosen up a lot as they want each level to make the postseason. They’ll have to discover methods to rating on both Pyotr Kochetkov or Spencer Martin, who’ve finished nicely for the Hurricanes this season.
Regarding the defensive aspect, the Wild could have to stand their floor towards Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas, Teuvo Teräväinen, and Michael Bunting, the Hurricane’s prime scorers. The video games are ticking down and the postseason is drawing nearer, hopefully the Wild can hold selecting up wins.
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