These last four games at the XCEL Energy Center have been real barn burners and all have featured multiple goal third period comebacks. The last three have been the Wiod coming from behind and last night's may have been the finest if the three.
For sure the result was the best as the Wild won the game in regulation, gaining 2 very valuable points in the standings while not allowing the Holden Knights any. If the Wild are to move up they will have to win in regulation again on Wednesday as they wrap up the season series with Vegas and trail the Golden Knights by 4 points with both teams having 5 games left to play.
Cam Talbot allowed five goals and one would look at the box score and see that he stopped 27 of 32 and think that the Wild won one for their goalie who had stolen his share of points for them this season. That could not be further from the truth as Talbot made a number of hige saves and one in particular on Alex Tuch that resulted in the Wild turning back up ice and Fiala scoring his 20th of the season to draw within one.
Talbot has been the picture of consistency all season and the offense has tremendous confidence that they will create the opportunities to overcome deficits or put teams away. Those elements are critical to any team's success, but for the Wild it is what has been missing for so long.
Kaprizov continues to amaze, while Fiala has heated up and what can we say about Joel Eriksson Ek and his line that is doing everything for the Wild. Nick Bonino who is flying under the radar but keeps producing points and last night scored two very big goals. He has been asked to play everywhere from 1st to 4th line, PK and now he is working the PP as the key faceoff guy and the one who is planted in front of the opposing goal.
It is a team effort and always has been with the Wild, but this year they finally have finishers to go with it. Every Wild/Golden Knights game this season has been very entertaining, and with last night's epic finish combined with the physical nature of the game, tomorrow should be as well.
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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