SUNRISE, FL – The Minnesota Wild showcased their power-play prowess by scoring five goals with the man-advantage, leading them to a 6-4 win against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on Friday. Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman played pivotal roles, with Kaprizov scoring twice and adding an assist, while Hartman netted two goals.
The victory marked a crucial turnaround for the Wild (19-21-5), who had been struggling with only one win in their last six games. Coach John Hynes praised the team’s competitiveness and resilience, essential in overcoming the recent slump.
The Panthers (27-14-4), despite Aaron Ekblad’s impressive performance with a goal and three assists, couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities and extend their nine-game winning streak, losing four straight games instead.
Marc-Andre Fleury started for Minnesota but left in the second period due to an upper-body injury, with Filip Gustavsson taking over. Florida’s Sam Reinhart saw his eight-game goal streak come to an end, a significant blow to the Panthers’ offensive efforts.
The Wild’s power-play efficiency was the highlight of the game. After Kaprizov opened the scoring, Hartman and Brock Faber extended the lead with power-play goals. Mats Zuccarello’s goal in the second period led to both goalies, Fleury and Sergei Bobrovsky, exiting the game. Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell brought the Panthers closer, but Kaprizov’s second power-play goal and Hartman’s empty-netter sealed the win for Minnesota.
Florida’s coach Paul Maurice acknowledged the team’s struggles in key areas like face-offs and penalty kills, which typically have been strengths this season. The Panthers also missed several opportunities to block shots, contributing to their defeat.
For the Wild, Kaprizov’s performance stood out, with 15 points in his past 10 games, while rookie defenseman Faber recorded his first three-point game in the NHL. The Panthers’ Ekblad and Gustav Forsling were each plus-4, and forward Matthew Tkachuk became the fastest in team history to reach 100 assists, achieving the milestone in just 124 games.
The Wild’s victory, powered by their effective power play, represents a significant boost for the team, while the Panthers face the challenge of bouncing back from their recent setbacks.
