The Wild Discovered How To Win Ugly In Montreal

Image courtesy of Eric Bolte-Imagn Images By Eric Forga - 50 minutes ago The Minnesota Wild didn’t need an offensive avalanche to keep rolling Tuesday night. They needed Jesper Wallstedt to hold the line, Bobby Brink to seize an opportunity, and Kirill Kaprizov to do what he does best. Turn one opening into a game-changing moment. The result was a 2-1 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens, extending Minnesota’s point streak to nine games and delivering its sixth consecutive road win. Kaprizov finished it just 21 seconds into overtime, hammering a power-play one-timer from the right circle. Montreal dragged itself back with Nick Suzuki ’s goal with 1:38 remaining in regulation. However, Cole Caufield ’s late slashing penalty gave Minnesota an advantage that carried into the extra period. Once there, the Wild’s most dangerous players needed little time to settle matters. The winning sequence captured why the combination of Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek , and Matt Boldy has become such an important part of Minnesota’s success. Boldy delivered the cross-ice pass, Eriksson Ek occupied the space in front of the goaltender, and Kaprizov supplied the decisive shot. Quinn Hughes helped orchestrate the play, giving the Wild the movement and passing precision needed to open Montreal’s coverage. Just as importantly, the finish came on a night when the Canadiens had largely contained that top line. It wasn’t an evening of endless chances or overwhelming offensive pressure from Minnesota’s stars. Instead, it showed another valuable quality: even when their opportunities are limited, they can still decide the game with one coordinated play. Wallstedt said afterward that he trusted players that talented to eventually find a way through. “It maybe was not clicking like they wanted throughout the game,” Wallstedt said regarding the top line. “You know, those guys, they’re bound for it. They’re that good. If you keep giving them scoring chances, they’re going to find a way to score it. And they did that. I wasn’t surprised. I was more happy that it was over.” Kaprizov, especially, continues to turn that promise into production. His winner was his 17th goal of the season and extended his personal point streak to nine games, a stretch featuring six goals and nine assists. It was also his 15th career overtime goal, tying Caufield for the most in the NHL since Kaprizov entered the league in 2020-21. For Minnesota, his current run combines sustained scoring with the ability to deliver when the margin disappears. Before Kaprizov could provide the celebration, Wallstedt supplied the foundation. The young goaltender stopped 27 shots and kept the shutout through the final two minutes. He was particularly important during Montreal’s second-period pressure, denying dangerous opportunities and keeping a scoreless game from tilting toward the Canadiens. His work ensured Minnesota could wait for its opening rather than chase the game. That opening arrived 2:53 into the third period. Brink pounced after Josh Anderson failed to control the puck in the neutral zone, broke away, and beat Jacob Fowler with a wrist shot past the glove. It was an opportunistic finish in a game where both goaltenders made it hard to manufacture offense. Wallstedt’s composure was especially fitting on a night when Montreal honored Carey Price . Former Canadiens forward Michael McCarron made a careful comparison afterward, pointing to Wallstedt’s calming presence and quiet confidence rather than equating his accomplishments with those of the Montreal great. “I mean, I’m not saying, obviously, Carey’s one of the best to ever do it,” McCarron said . “But (Wallstedt) does remind me a little bit of the way (Carey) carries himself: the quietness, the quiet cockiness, and how good he is in the net. He’s a really good player.” That steadiness mattered as much as any individual stop. The Wild could defend through difficult stretches without their goaltender appearing rattled. Minnesota left Montreal at 13-3-4, with a 7-0-2 record during its nine-game point streak. Tuesday’s win offered a compact explanation for that success. Brink contributed the breakthrough, Wallstedt gave the Wild room to survive, and the top-end talent finished the job. Even when the top line cannot dominate an entire evening, Kaprizov and his linemates can still own the defining moment. By Eric Forga Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form . minnesota wild nhl montreal canadiens kirill kaprizov jesper wallstedt carey price michael mccarron bobby brink