ST. PAUL, Minn. — In a tightly contested matchup, the Minnesota Wild brought an end to the Vancouver Canucks’ four-game winning streak with a narrow 2-1 shootout victory at the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday. Filip Gustavsson’s exceptional performance in goal, including crucial saves in the shootout, was pivotal in securing the win for Minnesota.
Gustavsson turned away all three shots in the shootout, while Mats Zuccarello scored the decisive goal. Reflecting on the game, Gustavsson highlighted the team’s growth and confidence in such close encounters, a stark contrast to earlier in the season.
Frederick Gaudreau scored the lone regulation goal for the Wild (12-12-4), who have seen a resurgence under new coach John Hynes, winning three straight and seven of their last nine games since his appointment on November 27. Hynes noted the game’s intensity and the team’s effective strategy in limiting the Canucks’ space and opportunities.
Casey DeSmith made 30 saves for the Canucks (20-9-2), while Teddy Blueger was the lone scorer for Vancouver. Despite outscoring their opponents 14-4 during their winning streak, the Canucks couldn’t maintain their offensive momentum against the Wild. Canucks coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged the team’s slow start, possibly attributing it to the effects of travel and lack of preparation.
This encounter marked the first shootout of the season for the Canucks, with DeSmith expressing mixed feelings about the experience, wishing for a more favorable outcome.
Gaudreau’s goal at 18:05 of the first period gave Minnesota an early lead, with Marcus Foligno and Pat Maroon combining to set up the play. Maroon’s assist marked his 300th NHL point.
Blueger equalized for the Canucks at 3:50 of the second period, finishing off a play initiated by Dakota Joshua. Despite the Canucks’ efforts, Gustavsson’s goaltending and Minnesota’s defensive resilience kept the game level.
The Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek had a breakaway opportunity in the third period, but DeSmith’s save kept the score tied, eventually leading to the shootout.
NOTES:
- Vancouver faces the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, with forward Brock Boeser ending a nine-game point streak.
- Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon missed the game due to injury, while forward Matt Boldy’s goal streak came to an end.
- Gustavsson’s win marked his 40th in the NHL, making him the fourth-fastest Sweden-born goalie to reach this milestone in 84 games, behind notable names such as Henrik Lundqvist and Pelle Lindbergh.
