The Bold North turned into the Boldy North last night as Wild rookie Matt Boldy took center stage in the 7-4 Minnesota victory.
The Red Wings got out to a quick lead as Dylan Larkin took advantage of Jordie Benn's wipeout and walked in all alone to beat Kaapo Kahkonen five hole for the lead. Gustav Lindstrom wired a shot through a well placed screen and picked the top left corner to give the Wings a two goal lead before the game was five minutes old.
Despite the score the Wild were not playing poorly and had already killed a Detroit powerplay and actually had not one, but three scoring chances of their own while shorthanded. Matt Boldy ripped home his fifth of the season on a great feed from Kevin Fiala. That play actually started in the Wild zone with all five Minnesota skaters involved in the scoring play.
That goal is a prefect example of just how this Wild team is so dramatically different. The transition game has always been a staple of the Wild as their defense has been very mobile and strong playmakers. Now the Wild have bonafide finishers that can capitalize and take fill advantage of those breakout passes.
Boldy was not finished by a long shot as he scored his second of the night, this time on the powerplay and the game was tied before the 10 minute mark of the first period and the Red Wings lead justblike that was gone.
Kirill Kaprizov gave the Wild the lead for good with his 21st of the season and Boldy completed his hattrick once again on the powerplay to round out the second period with the Wild on top by two.
Detroit did not go quietly in the third much as we expected they brought a push of their own, albeit aided by some calls that were a bit scoreboard related. Joel Eriksson Ek gave the Wild a three goal cushion with his 14th of the season and team leading ninth on the powerplay.
Lucas Raymond got the Wings back within one with a powerplay marker of his own and the Wings were not done quite yet. Wings coach took a page from the Dean Evason book and pulled Alex Nedeljkovic with over five minutes to play in favor of the extra attacker. The move paid off momentarily as Sam Gagner drew the Wings to within one with well over a minute and a half to play.
That was as close as Detroit would get as Kirill Kaprizov sealed the deal with his 22nd into the empty net. Ryan Hartman added his career high trying 19th of the season with Nedeljkovic back between the pipes for the 7-4 final.
An exciting game for the fans and one that Matt Boldy will never forget. His first career hattrick and an assist for the four point night in just his 13th NHL game. The kid plays the game like a veteran. It was not just his offense as he made a key pass block in the first period with the Wild trailing that may have turned the game had he not made that play.
Boldy has ignited the Wild offense bringing a whole new dynamic. Kevin Fiala has someone who can complement him the way that Mats Zuccarello does for Kaprizov and the results are simply phenomenal.
Off to WInnipeg tomorrow night to avenge the Jets 2-0 victory last week.