3 Takeaways From Wild’s 5-4 Win Over the Red Wings – Hockey Writers – Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild finished their quick two-game back-to-back road trip on Easter Sunday, April 5, against the Detroit Red Wings. Both teams that faced each other on this road trip were in the Eastern Conference for the last wildcard spot. They took down the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, April 4, and look to do the same to the Red Wings on Sunday.

The Wild’s lineup looked similar to their game against the Senators, except Zach Bogosian was injured, so Jeff Petry took his open spot. Filip Gustavsson was in net while Jesper Wallstedt was facing the Senators. The game started in favor of the Red Wings, but the Wild fought back, forced their way into the game, and took a 4-1 lead.

The third period was where things changed, and the Red Wings scored three consecutive points to tie the game. The Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov scored in the final minute and a half to clinch the win. In this article, we’ll look at a few pickups, starting with their ability to bounce back.

The Wild Show Can Go Back

The Wild have shown this season that they are a team that likes to score first, and when they have, they have been successful. Previously, they had to show that they are a team that knows how to come from behind, and although they haven’t been forced to do that much this season, they have found a way to do this recently, which happened twice for the Red Wings.

The Red Wings scored less than two minutes into the first half, and that could have easily put the Wild on their heels, especially on the road. Instead, the Wild dug deep and answered 18 seconds into the middle period. From then on, the Wild continued to pile up the points and never looked back until the third period threw them for a loop. The Red Wings found a way around the Wild defense multiple times and were able to tie the game late.

Once again, the Wild could feel defeated after giving up three goals, but went deep and scored, sealing the victory. Obviously the Wild have to find a way to not let teams come back, but at least come out with a win in the end.

In the postseason, anything can happen, especially if their opponent will be the team’s rival, the Dallas Stars. The Wild have had to find ways to come from behind against them in the past, and knowing how to not get discouraged when trying to make a comeback is important. So, while it’s not good to start behind, it’s good that the Wild can prove they can climb back into the game.

The Wild players continue to rise

We’re not even a full week into the month of April, but the Wild have found a way out of the funk they entered during the month of March. Its leading scorers are the best, and against the Red Wings, they were heroic all game long. Matt Boldy was a little quiet in March, but in April, he has five points in three games.

Boldy scored the Wild’s first goal of the game, which led to their momentum, and it was his birthday goal. Of course, now whenever Boldy scores, Kirill Kaprizov follows suit, and he did just that as he scored with one minute and seven seconds left to give the Wild their first lead of the game against the Red Wings.

Kaprizov went on to score two more goals, including the game winner on the power play. It was his sixth hat trick of the regular season, and he put the team on his back to get the win, and helped fix some mistakes that allowed the Red Wings to come back. Boldy and Kaprizov took the lead, but Vladimir Tarasenko also had a hand on the scoresheet and extended the Wild’s lead to 3-1 at the time and slowly let them down.

Fieldwork to Find Form

While most will focus on the Wild giving up three goals in the third period, and they should, the Wild found a way to win. If you look at the goals scored by the Red Wings, except for the first one, the Wild have a way of stopping them. Three more goals, the Red Wings found a way behind the Wild’s defense, and each player was left alone to shoot into an open net while Filip Gustavsson scattered from the other side trying to make a save.

Despite relinquishing the lead, the rest of the game was very tight for the Wild, and it looked like their form from last season was starting. They scored solid goals, got production from their top and bottom players, and overcame some adversity.

Another area that was really tight was their blocked shots, as they had 25 compared to the Red Wings’ eight, including one at the end of the game by Boldy that left him with a slight limp. Everyone is willing to step up and make a commitment, which is something they will need heading into the postseason.

Related: Minnesota Wild’s 3 Keys to a Successful Postseason

The Wild found a way to get the win, and went home with four of a possible four points. They will return home for one quick game against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, April 7, before heading out on their final road trip of the regular season, where they will face the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis. Louis Blues. Their final game of the regular season will be at home against the Anaheim Ducks, and hopefully they will end this final stretch on a high note.