Episode 104

🏆 Final Score🏆
Minnesota Wild 3 – Toronto Maple Leafs 1

💬 Water Cooler One-Liner:

The Wild proved they can win without Kirill Kaprizov, grinding out a 3-1 victory over Toronto behind Gustavsson’s stellar goaltending and a standout effort from the fourth line.

📊 Quick Hits – Game at a Glance:

• Winner: Marcus Foligno (Empty-net goal, 19:45 third period)

• Turning Point: Jared Spurgeon’s power-play goal in the first period, which deflected off Auston Matthews and past Joseph Woll.

• Standout Stat: Wild improved to 19-5-3 on the road, leading the NHL in road wins.

• Goaltending Anchor: Filip Gustavsson made 32 saves, shutting down Toronto’s offensive push.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Gustavsson is Back: The Wild’s netminder was locked in, stopping 32 of 33 shots and coming up big in the third period when Toronto was pressing.

2️⃣ Fourth Line Sets the Tone: Marat Khusnutdinov, Devin Shore, and Jakub Lauko combined for the first goal of the night, setting the pace early.

3️⃣ Spurgeon’s Milestone Night: The Wild captain hit 400 career points, making him the franchise’s all-time leading defenseman in scoring.

⭐ Three Stars of the Game:

1. ⭐ Filip Gustavsson (MIN – Goalie): 32 saves, .970 SV%

2. ⭐ William Nylander (TOR – Right Wing): 1 goal, 3 shots, 1 post hit

3. ⭐ Marat Khusnutdinov (MIN – Center): 1 goal, 2 hits

📊 By The Numbers:

• Shots on Goal: Wild 25 – Maple Leafs 33
• Faceoff %: Wild 37.3% – Maple Leafs 62.7%
• Power Play: Wild 100% (1/1) – Maple Leafs 0% (0/1)
• Penalty Minutes: Wild 2 – Maple Leafs 2
• Hits: Wild 12 – Maple Leafs 23
• Blocked Shots: Wild 22 – Maple Leafs 8
• Giveaways: Wild 15 – Maple Leafs 13
• Takeaways: Wild 5 – Maple Leafs 5

📰 Around the Team:

• Kaprizov Injury Update: The Wild’s leading scorer underwent surgery and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

• Spurgeon’s 400-Point Club: With his first-period goal, the Wild captain became the first defenseman in franchise history to hit 400 career points.

• Roster Moves: The Wild recalled Ben Jones from Iowa to add depth during their road trip.

🎯 Stat Spotlight:

• Gustavsson’s Road Dominance: He now ranks second in the NHL with a 1.99 GAA and .929 SV% on the road.

• Wild’s Road Success: Minnesota improved to 19-5-3 away from home, already matching their total road wins from last season.

• Spurgeon’s Clutch Factor: His power-play goal gave the Wild a crucial 2-0 lead and shifted momentum.

🗓️ Next Up:
• Opponent: Montreal Canadiens
• Date: January 30, 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM CST
• Where to Watch: FanDuel

📬 Final Whistle:

A gutsy, structured effort gave the Wild a key road win, proving they can still grind out victories without Kaprizov. With Gustavsson locked in and the team finding their rhythm, the Wild look poised to keep their playoff push strong. Stay tuned for more updates in the Wild Hockey Insider! Subscribe here!