Wild Keep Rolling, Besting Colorado in a Shootout Thriller
The Minnesota Wild's impressive 3-2 shootout victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Black Friday showcased the team's growing strength and determination. As the NHL's two hottest teams clashed, fans witnessed an electric atmosphere that hinted at a potential playoff matchup between these two contenders.
Wild coach John Hynes aptly described the game as "a heavyweight fight" between two strong teams playing excellent hockey. Mats Zuccarello and Matt Boldy led the charge in the post-overtime shootout, securing Minnesota's dramatic win. Kirill Kaprizov, who scored a pair of late second-period goals, continued to assert himself as one of the league's top players.
Jesper Wallstedt's exceptional performance in net further bolstered his case for the Calder Memorial Trophy. The rookie goalie made 39 saves and improved to 7-0-2 with the win, silencing Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in the shootout.
Wallstedt downplayed the significance of Colorado's loss, instead emphasizing the Wild's style and success in recent games. "We're a better team than them," he said simply, as if reflecting on the fact that his team had finally outplayed their rivals.
Both teams experienced early power plays and tested each other's goaltenders before the first media break. However, Colorado took an early lead when MacKinnon capitalized on a Wild miscue. Kaprizov responded by scoring his 200th career goal, which also snapped Colorado's 212-minute scoreless drought.
The game remained neck-and-neck until Ryan Hartman made an impressive return from injury to secure the equalizer for Minnesota. Gabriel Landeskog tied the game with a third-period goal, setting the stage for the intense shootout that followed.
In the end, Wallstedt and the Wild emerged victorious, handing Colorado its first regulation loss of the season since November 1st. The win improves Minnesota's chances in the Central Division title race, while also solidifying Wallstedt's status as a top rookie contender.
The Avalanche will look to rebound from this setback when they return to St. Paul for a rematch on December 21st. For now, the Wild will focus on their holiday weekend back-to-back schedule, which begins with a visit from the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday evening.
The Minnesota Wild's impressive 3-2 shootout victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Black Friday showcased the team's growing strength and determination. As the NHL's two hottest teams clashed, fans witnessed an electric atmosphere that hinted at a potential playoff matchup between these two contenders.
Wild coach John Hynes aptly described the game as "a heavyweight fight" between two strong teams playing excellent hockey. Mats Zuccarello and Matt Boldy led the charge in the post-overtime shootout, securing Minnesota's dramatic win. Kirill Kaprizov, who scored a pair of late second-period goals, continued to assert himself as one of the league's top players.
Jesper Wallstedt's exceptional performance in net further bolstered his case for the Calder Memorial Trophy. The rookie goalie made 39 saves and improved to 7-0-2 with the win, silencing Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in the shootout.
Wallstedt downplayed the significance of Colorado's loss, instead emphasizing the Wild's style and success in recent games. "We're a better team than them," he said simply, as if reflecting on the fact that his team had finally outplayed their rivals.
Both teams experienced early power plays and tested each other's goaltenders before the first media break. However, Colorado took an early lead when MacKinnon capitalized on a Wild miscue. Kaprizov responded by scoring his 200th career goal, which also snapped Colorado's 212-minute scoreless drought.
The game remained neck-and-neck until Ryan Hartman made an impressive return from injury to secure the equalizer for Minnesota. Gabriel Landeskog tied the game with a third-period goal, setting the stage for the intense shootout that followed.
In the end, Wallstedt and the Wild emerged victorious, handing Colorado its first regulation loss of the season since November 1st. The win improves Minnesota's chances in the Central Division title race, while also solidifying Wallstedt's status as a top rookie contender.
The Avalanche will look to rebound from this setback when they return to St. Paul for a rematch on December 21st. For now, the Wild will focus on their holiday weekend back-to-back schedule, which begins with a visit from the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday evening.
this kid Wallstedt is on fire 
7-0-2 and making 39 saves 
his stats are insane 
he's definitely got what it takes to win that Calder Trophy 
I'm literally so hyped about this game!! The shootout thriller was insane! I love how Wallstedt came out on top and proved himself as a legit goalie prospect 
. And Mats Zuccarello's 3 points? 
. The Wild's on fire and Minnesota's got the Central Division title in their sights 
. Bring on that Buffalo game this weekend 
!
i mean, 39 saves in one game?!? thats insane !!!! anywayz i'm low-key hyped for the rematch on dec 21st 
can't wait for the rematch on dec 21st!
️, i mean, that shootout was insane! and wallstedt's performance? wow, he's really making a case for that calder trophy 
. and honestly, who doesn't love a good shootout thriller? 
it just proves that both teams are super competitive and ready for a playoff matchup whenever it comes. bring on the rematch with colorado in december! 
. It made me wonder, what is it about this team that drives them to keep pushing forward, even when the odds are stacked against them? Is it a sense of community, or something more profound?
it's crazy he's still playing so well at such a high level.
- that kid's gonna be a star in this league for years to come! 7-0-2 is insane and I think he's gonna get that Calder Trophy 
. The way Kaprizov continues to put up points is wild too, like, the dude's got game 
caps off an already amazing game, love how minnesota kept it close till the end 
the wild is looking so strong this season, got my hopes up for a playoff run