The Minnesota Wild’s impressive start to the season is giving Minnesota sports fans the hope that teams like the Minnesota Vikings can’t seem to provide. Their 8-3 record puts them in second place in the Central Division, trailing only the St. Louis Blues (8-2-1). Although the season is young, the Wild look to prove that the depth of the 2021-2022 squad is one to be reckoned with. Led by Matt Dumba and Karill “The Thrill” Kaprizov, 11 games into the season, the Wild have completed three overtime wins, as well as one shootout win. It seems that in every game, a different player proves themselves in clutch time to help the team get the victory. 

Jets @ Wild – October 19 – OT

The Wild played their home opener at the Xcel Energy Center against the Winnipeg Jets, in a game that pulled at many fans’ emotions. The Jets took an early lead on a goal from Kyle Connor. The Wild quickly responded with a goal of their own, coming from the stick of Mats Zuccarello. Connor’s second goal of the game came in the 1st period, giving the Jets a 2-1 lead. Joel Eriksson Ek responded late in the 1st, tying the game 2-2 on a Minnesota Wild power play. The Jets took the lead on a power play shot from Josh Morrissey. Zuccarello recorded his second goal of the game on a deflected shot, tying the game 3-3. The Jets took the lead once more with a 3rd period goal from Pierre-Luc Dubois. Shortly following the Jets 4th goal, Andrew Copp gave the Jets a 2 goal lead with a shot from the point. With 5 minutes left in the 3rd, Foligno tipped in his 2nd goal of the season, bringing the Wild within 1. The Jets scored an open-net goal late in the 3rd, but it was disallowed due to an offsides call. Ericsson Ek tied the game with 57 seconds left, sending the game to overtime. In overtime, Ericsson Ek won the game with his first hat trick of the season. The Wild win 6-5.

Ducks @ Wild – October 23 – OT

Rickard Rakell gives the Ducks an early 1-0 lead on a five hole shot that beat Wild goalie, Cam Talbot. Brandon Duhaime responded in the 1st with a redirected shot off the stick of Nico Sturm, tying the game 1-1. Jared Spurgeon found the back of the net with a heavy slapshot, beating Ducks goalie Josh Gibson, and giving the Wild a 2-1 lead in the 1st. Jets right winger, Troy Terry deflected a shot and tied the game 2-2 with 9 minutes left in the 1st. Rackell tallied his second goal of the game early in the 2nd period, giving the Jets a one goal lead. Jon Merrill scored late in the 2nd, tying the game 3-3. The 3rd period lacked a goal from either team and the game headed to overtime. Ryan Hartman buried a wrist shot 5 minutes into overtime, giving the Wild a 4-3 victory over the Ducks.

Senators @ Wild – November 2 – OT

Leading 3-1 after the 1st period by goals from Foligno, Addison and Sturm, the Wild seemed to hit a lull early in the 2nd. The Senators tallied back-to-back-to-back goals by Batherson, Norris, and Tierney. Giving them a 4-3 lead until late in the 3rd, when Foligno scored his second of the night, on a pass from Matt Dumba. The game was sent to overtime, a well-known position for the Wild this season. Kirill Kaprizov scored his first goal of the season 2 minutes into overtime to give the Minnesota Wild a 5-4 victory over the Senators.

Wild @ Penguins – November 6 – SO

After a slow start to the season, Kaprizov tallied his second goal of the year, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead in the 1st. Penguins right wing, Kasperi Kapanen responded with two goals of his own, followed by a 2nd period goal by Jake Guentzel, giving Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. Ericsson Ek responded shortly after, cutting the Penguins lead to 1. Kapanen scored once more in the 3rd to record a hat trick, putting the Wild 2 goals down. With four minutes left in the game, the Wild pulled goalie Talbot out of desperation. Luckily, the Wild found the back of the net 2 more times in the 3rd, sending the game to overtime, where Fiala, Kaprizov and Bjugstad beat goalie, Tristan Jarry to win the game.