by Murat Karul

In a thrilling Monday night match, Joel Eriksson Ek led the Minnesota Wild to a 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, securing their third consecutive win. Eriksson Ek’s two goals, along with contributions from Mats Zuccarello, Marco Rossi, and Matt Boldy, propelled the Wild to their sixth win in eight games. Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves in a standout performance.

Despite goals from Jonathan Marchessault, Michael Amadio, and Mark Stone, the defending champion Golden Knights suffered only their third home loss in 2024, disappointing the sellout crowd of 18,207 at T-Mobile Arena.

Minnesota coach John Hynes praised his team’s puck management and offensive zone play, emphasizing the encouraging process and commitment displayed in the last two games. The win also spoiled defenseman Alex Pietrangelo’s 1,000th career game, as he became the sixth defenseman in NHL history to record multiple assists in this milestone.

With the game tied at 2-all, the Wild regained the lead with goals from Rossi and Boldy, securing a two-goal advantage. Despite Stone narrowing the lead, Eriksson Ek’s empty-net goal sealed the victory.

This exciting clash followed the historic Super Bowl, and the Wild’s win showcased their strong gameplay. Hynes highlighted the team’s commitment and style of play, crucial for success down the stretch.

Next up, the Wild will face Arizona on Wednesday, while the Golden Knights will host Carolina on Saturday.