How crazy was Minnesota’s 6-4 win over the Florida Panthers on Friday night?
The Wild got out-shot 35-26, lost goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to an injury and still won, largely due to the fact that they scored FIVE power-play goals.
Kirill Kaprizov scored the first power-play goal for Minnesota 2 minutes, 29 seconds into the first period. Ryan Hartman got the second 3:22 into the second period. A little more than four minutes later Brock Faber scored the Wild’s third power-play goal, and just shy of three minutes later Mats Zuccarello scored Minnesota’s fourth.
Kaprizov’s second goal of the night came on the power play just 41 seconds into the third period and proved to be the game-winner. The five power-play goals tied a franchise record.
Hartman added an empty-netter with 12 seconds remaining for icing on the cake.
But it wasn’t all good for the Wild as Fleury left the game after being hit behind the net in the second period. Filip Gustavsson replaced Fleury and finished the night with 21 saves. Connor Dewar also left the game with an injury.
Fleury got hit up high by Florida’s Will Lockwood, who was immediately mobbed by Minnesota players coming to Fleury’s defense. Once Lockwood was out of the penalty box for interference, Wild tough guy Brandon Duhaime delivered numerous punches to him in a fight.
CHAOS pic.twitter.com/g3OE62LcMT
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) January 20, 2024
Duhaime doesn't mess around 😤#MNWILD | #NHL pic.twitter.com/N3V2PsDl6e
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) January 20, 2024
Head coach John Hynes didn’t have an update on either player, but suggested that both “could be fine.”
“Yeah he went over and played and then he felt well and then he just came over the bench, so we just took him out and put Gus in,” Hynes explained about Fleury initially staying in the game after taking the hit.
If Fleury’s injury requires some time off, Michael Russo of The Athletic expects top goalie prospect Jesper Wallstedt to be recalled from the AHL Iowa Wild. Wallstedt made his NHL debut in Dallas last week and allowed seven goals.
Up next: Wild at Carolina, Sunday at 4 p.m. CT.
