Minnesota Wild Secure Season-Opening Victory Against Columbus Blue Jackets

Thursday night saw the Minnesota Wild spring into the new NHL season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, led by their former coach Dean Evason. Stars of the night, Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek, together with a power-play score from Mats Zuccarello, all contributed to the Wild’s victory.

Strong Performance by the Wild’s Second Line

Eriksson Ek and Boldy, the formidable duo of Minnesota’s second line, showcased their prowess, each netting a goal. Boldy’s came in the first period with a no-look shot, while Eriksson Ek secured the lead in the second with a one-timer. Tying together this formidable line was Marcus Johansson, who together with Boldy, added two assists each.

Superb Saves by Gustavsson

The Wild’s netminder, Filip Gustavsson, put on a commendable performance with 30 saves, ensuring the Wild continued their impressive 10-1-1 track record in season openers at Xcel Energy Center. Despite conceding a power-play goal to Zach Werenski with less than three minutes to go, Gustavsson’s solid performance sets a promising tone for the season, especially following his rocky previous season.

Blue Jackets’ Performance

The Blue Jackets, under the new guidance of Evason, once the Wild’s coach, saw Kent Johnson shine with a goal and an assist. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins, on the other hand, managed to stop 23 shots. The team, however, played with a heavy heart, still mourning the tragic loss of their former teammate and star, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew.

Key Moments and Interesting Stats

A pivotal moment came when a second-period goal from the Blue Jackets’ 16-year veteran, James van Riemsdyk, was disallowed after a successful Wild challenge for goaltender interference with Gustavsson.

An intriguing stat to note is the playoff history of these two teams. Both the Wild and Blue Jackets entered the NHL in 2000 as expansion teams, and out of 46 combined seasons, they’ve only managed to win five playoff series. The Wild have four to their name, while the Blue Jackets’ sole advancement came in 2019.

Looking Ahead

Next on the NHL schedule, the Blue Jackets will face off against Colorado on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Wild will host Seattle before embarking on a seven-game road stretch.