The Minnesota Wild have been off to an incredibly hot start in the 2024-2025 NHL season, quickly establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the league. With an impressive 11-3 record, they have been playing at a level few expected, especially given the fierce competition across the league. Their fast-paced, defensively solid style of play has been a major factor in their success, with standout performances from both veteran leaders and emerging stars. As it stands, the Wild are just a few games short of catching the Winnipeg Jets, who currently hold the top spot in the Western Conference. This early-season surge has fans in Minnesota buzzing with excitement, as the team continues to exceed expectations and position themselves as serious contenders for the playoffs. With such a strong start, the Wild are not just one of the best teams in the NHL right now, but they are also proving that their skilled forwards, reliable goaltending, and strong defense could make them a force to be reckoned with throughout the rest of the season.
The Wild’s strong start to the season was initially bolstered by a healthy roster, but the team quickly faced a setback with the loss of two key players: left wing Mats Zuccarello and center Joel Eriksson Ek. Zuccarello, one of the team’s best forwards, is placed on the injury reserve list for at least three to four weeks while Eriksson Ek has already returned to practice, offering a hopeful sign of a speedy recovery. While the absence of Zuccarello is a notable challenge for the Wild, Eriksson Ek’s return to the ice provides a boost to the team’s depth as they continue to compete for a top spot in the conference.
A big reason for the early success of the Wild comes from the exceptional play of their starting goalie, Phillip Gustavsson. With a league-leading 2.08 goals against average, Gustavsson has been a key player of the Wild’s defensive strength, recently adding the seventh shutout of his career in a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. On the offensive side, Kirill Kaprizov is off to a historic start, currently ranking second in the league with 31 points, including 11 goals and 20 assists, and continuing to prove himself as one of the most dynamic players in the NHL. While Kaprizov’s contributions are leading the charge on the ice, there is also significant buzz surrounding the team’s future, particularly with their 2024 12th overall pick, Zeev Buium, who is lighting it up with the University of Denver. Last week, Buium scored a hat trick against North Dakota and helped Denver walk away with a 2-0 sweep on the weekend. Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin has made it clear that he expects Buium to join the team sooner rather than later, with a potential call-up near the end of the current NHL season, making the future look even brighter for the Wild.
Minnesota is set for a crucial three-game road trip against the St Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames, beginning Tuesday night. After a strong start to their seven-game road trip in October, where they finished with a 5-1-1 record, the Wild are looking to maintain their momentum on the road. However, as the team pushes forward, it is clear that keeping up their winning culture is vital—not only to stay competitive but to regain full belief and excitement from their fanbase. Despite making the playoffs in seven of the last nine seasons, the Wild have consistently lost in the first round, leaving fans frustrated by their inability to make a deep postseason run. While the playoffs are always the goal, Minnesota fans are no longer content with just a playoff berth—they are hungry to see the team win at least one playoff series. This year looks like it might be the year the Wild prove they can compete in the NHL when it matters most.
