It took some very strong goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury to keep the Wiod in the game last night, before they took control late in the second period. The silly play of Evgeny Svechnikov also played a significant role when he decided to engage with Fleury in front of the Wild net.

Marcus Foligno came it to restore order with Svechnikov and when they separated, Svechnikov went right back at Fleury drawing the slashing penalty and the ire of the entire Wild bench. That penalty gave the Wild a golden opportunity to break the 1-1 tie and Freddy Gaudreau did just that with just under two minutes to play.

Marcus Johansson got his first Wild goal since his return, following the trade with Washigton, 30 seconds into the final frame and the Wild went on to the 5-2 victory. The five goals for the Wild was the first time they had potted a handful of goals since January seventh in their 6-5 overtime loss in Buffalo.

The Wild offense came through in the first test without Kaprizov and who else but thw captain, Jared Spurgeon l, got the boys off early with his 10th of the season 1:44 into the game last night. It did appear that the rest of the team caught a bit of it is going to be easy with that start and they were severely outplayed through much of the first two periods.

That stifling team defense and outstanding penalty kill were not their normal recent selves at all. San Jose netted two powerplay goals and they were able to generate 37 shots with many great looks at the Wild net.

Tonight the game plan needs to get back to Wild hockey as Arizona will make them pay if they don't. The Coyotes gave the Avalanche all they could handle last night in Colorado before Cale Makar sealed the deal in overtime. The last Wild visit to Mullett Arena out of the All-Star break was the game that sent them into a tailspin where they dropped five of six.

Filip Gustavsson gets the Wild net tonight as Dean Evason looks to p7sh the tight buttons with both of his red hot goalies. Marc-Andre Fleury has had a history of working well with his understudies, often elevating his own game in the process.

Gustavsson has been simply brilliant single mid-November atop the NHL goaltending statistical categories. He is a calming presence back their behind his Wild teammates and they feel so much confidence with "Gus" between the pipes.

It's always Hockey Day in The State of Hockey!

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