Minnesota Wild vs. Sharks Recap (W)

🏆 Final Score🏆
Minnesota Wild 8 – Sharks 7 (OT)

💬 Water Cooler One-Liner:

Kirill and Ekky are back—and they didn’t miss a beat. A four-goal explosion by Eriksson Ek and a slick OT winner from Kaprizov lift the Wild in a must-win goal fest.


📊 Quick Hits – Game at a Glance:

• Winner: Kirill Kaprizov (OT one-timer, 1:01 into OT)

• Turning Point: Eriksson Ek’s natural hat trick spanning the second and third period

• Standout Stat: Wild went 3-for-4 on the power play, including two goals from the net-front menace, Eriksson Ek

• Goaltending Anchor: Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves and set the NHL record for most OT wins (70)

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Eriksson Ek’s Four-Goal Frenzy: The Wild center returned from a 21-game absence and reminded everyone how critical he is—three on the power play and one for style.

2️⃣ Kaprizov Comes Clutch: Back from a 28-game layoff, Kaprizov had 2 goals (including the OT winner), an assist, and 9 shots in a statement return.

3️⃣ Power Play Dominance: Minnesota’s PP went 3-for-4 while keeping San Jose off the man advantage entirely.

⭐ Three Stars of the Game:

1. ⭐ J. Eriksson Ek (MIN • Center): 4 goals, 8 shots, and a net-front masterclass

2. ⭐ M. Boldy (MIN • Left Wing): 4 assists, including 2 primary helpers on the power play

3. ⭐ K. Kaprizov (MIN • Left Wing): 2 goals (incl. OT winner), 1 assist, 9 SOG

📊 By The Numbers:
• Shots on Goal: Wild 44 – Sharks 31
• Power Play: Wild 75% (3/4) – Sharks 0% (0/0)
• Penalty Minutes: Wild 2 – Sharks 10
• Faceoffs: Wild 53.2% – Sharks 46.8%
• Hits: Wild 24 – Sharks 27
• Blocked Shots: Wild 14 – Sharks 24
• Giveaways: Wild 17 – Sharks 10
• Takeaways: Wild 5 – Sharks 3

📰 Around the Team:

• Comeback Kings Return: Both Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek returned from extended absences and immediately made game-changing impacts.

• Fleury’s Milestone: Marc-Andre Fleury passed Martin Brodeur for most OT wins in NHL history with 70.

• Roster Shuffle: Brendan Gaunce and Devin Shore were sent to Iowa to make roster space for the returning stars.

🎯 Stat Spotlight:

• Historic Night: Eriksson Ek became the second Wild player ever to score four goals in a game (Gaborik has the record with five).

• OT King: Kaprizov notched his 10th career OT goal, a franchise record.

• Special Teams Showdown: Wild went 3-for-4 on the PP, their best outing in weeks.

🔍 What This Win Means:

✅ Playoff Push – Secured: The Wild reclaimed the top wild-card spot in the West with the win and now control their own destiny.

✅ Momentum Surge – Just in Time: Getting their best players back sharpens the team’s edge heading into a playoff-clinching weekend.

✅ Fleury’s Farewell Tour: In what may have been his last regular-season home game, the future Hall of Famer delivered a dramatic W.

🔥 Next Up:
 Opponent: Calgary Flames
• Date: April 11, 2025
• Time: 9:00 PM CST
• Where to Watch: FanDuel

📬 Final Whistle:
In a game straight out of a video game, the Wild’s stars returned with a bang. An emotional win, a franchise milestone, and a critical two points keep Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive and well.

📢 Stay tuned to Wild Hockey Insider for pre-game insights and analysis!