The Minnesota Wild picked up their sixth win in their past seven games on Monday, but it was the Montreal Canadiens antics after the game that grabbed attention after an 8-2 beating at Xcel Energy Center.
The night began with the return of Cam Talbot, who was out since Jan. 1 with a lower body injury. He received a rude welcome when Mike Hoffman put Montreal on the board at 1:23 into the game. But the Wild responded quickly, tying the game on Jared Spurgeon’s fourth goal of the season.
CAPTAIN SPURGEON 🚨#mnwild pic.twitter.com/yYaNh6G258
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 25, 2022
With the game even, Kirill Kaprizov put on a show for the home fans. With the puck in the offensive zone, Kaprizov circled the Montreal defense to set up a one-timer for Matt Dumba.
Later in the shift, Kaprizov made his case for next week’s NHL Skills Competition, attempting a shot between the legs but watching the puck sail over the top of the net.
ROUND & ROUND HE GOES 🤣#mnwild pic.twitter.com/Mka76Z1eLq
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 25, 2022
oh we are in for a NIGHT with kaprizov. he just tried to go between the legs and went high. pic.twitter.com/OQ25LRjsUs
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) January 25, 2022
While Kaprizov missed, Marcus Foligno never misses. The NHL’s leader in shot percentage (29.6 percent) connected on his 17th goal of the season to give Minnesota a 2-1 lead after the first period.
With the Wild in control, they relied on their fourth line to expand their advantage. Connor Dewar made it 3-1 with his first career NHL goal and on the same shift, Nico Sturm doubled down with his seventh goal of the year to make it 4-1.
CONNOR DEWAR FIRST GOAL ALERT 🚨 #mnwild pic.twitter.com/I1xLsw0bY3
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 25, 2022
Mats Zuccarello’s 12th goal of the season made it a 5-1 game and brought out some frustration for Montreal. With time winding down in the second, Josh Anderson slashed Ryan Hartman in the legs, drawing a penalty and the ire of Dean Evason.
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) January 25, 2022
— Seth Toupal (@sethtoups) January 25, 2022
In his first game back after being waived by the Wild, Rem Pitlick scored his fourth goal of the year to make it a 5-2 game. But Kaprizov stepped on the gas, recording the 100th point of his career to feed Matt Boldy to make it 6-2.
Boldy buries his third of the season! #mnwild pic.twitter.com/CsdSJZSUFz
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) January 25, 2022
The Wild poured it on late, getting goals from Jordy Benn and Kevin Fiala to secure the lopsided victory. But with time winding down, Michael Pezzetta delivered a late hit to Matt Dumba inspiring Foligno to skate over and clean things up.
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) January 25, 2022
With the final faceoff taking place, the two teams continued to send a final statement before the game finally ended.
aaaand they continue pic.twitter.com/MHwoCaq8EO
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) January 25, 2022
With another victory at home, Minnesota (25-10-3) will head on the road to take on the New York Rangers on Friday night.
