The Minnesota Wild Spanked The Dallas Stars

Alex Bader

The Minnesota Wild played one of their best games of the season on Thursday night when they spanked the Dallas Stars in their 7-2 win. After coming off of a bad performance against the Sharks, the Wild made sure to bury their enemy in the ground early and often.

The Wild improved to 11-5 on the season and are currently tied with the Jets for first place in the Central Division.

When the lines were announced on the morning of Thursday, Kaprizov was slated to skate on the third line with Rask and Gaudreau, many believed this was Evason's way of telling the star player that he needs to wake up.

The message was received loud and clear by Kaprizov. Kaprizov had a career-high 4-point night with a goal and three primary assists and finished with a +4 rating.

The game marked the return of former Wild player, Ryan Suter. Suter was bought out of his contract over the summer and he signed a four-year contract with the Dallas Stars. Suter was given a heartwarming video tribute and a standing ovation from the fans in attendance.

BADER'S TAKE

No 'I' in team.

I had the privilege of attending this game in person with my brother and it was an incredible time. The buzz in the arena and around this team is something that the Wild haven't had since they signed Parise and Suter.

Just an amazing game to attend. (hard to have a bad time when they score 7 and win)

It is easy to tell that this team is completely different than in years past. They play with a passion and energy that is intoxicating to the fans. (On a side note, I think the goal song of "jump" is the perfect goal song and it does get everyone jumping!)

They also play as a team. There is not a single player on the team who thinks he is the star and should get the puck all the time. They know who gets paid what and who might be considered the star, but on this team, they are playing with the mentality that one person cannot win the game.

If you wish to lift the cup, it needs to be a team effort, and the teams that win often have depth. The Minnesota Wild have that depth and they are showing that they are a dangerous team to play.

The Wild showed off their teamwork skills by having multiple payers grab multiple points against Dallas.

Kaprizov had a four-point night, Zuccarello had a three-point night, Goligoski had a three-point night and his first goal of the season, Rask had a goal and an assist and was +4 in his first game after being a healthy scratch the last four games. Pitlick, Gaudreau, and Hartman each had a goal as well. Spurgeon was +5 for the third time in his career and it was against his former lineman, Ryan Suter.

While it was amazing to see Kaprizov finally have a breakout game and have a career night, it was also amazing to see so many other players get on the board for the Wild.

If Kaprizov can continue from where left off last night, and if the Wild continue to get ample depth scoring they will be a hard team to beat.

Ryan Hartman is third in the NHL in GWG with three, he leads the team in goals with eight, one more than he had in 51 games last season. It is safe to say he is the teams early MVP.

Right now the Wild look like contenders, but they have a tough matchup this weekend in Florida that will tell us a lot of things about this team and if they are legit or not.

Saturday the Wild play the Panthers in Florida (12-2-3) who are currently first in the league with 27 points and undefeated at home so far.

Sunday the Wild play the Lightning who are just as good at 9-3-4.

It will be two competitive games that could determine how well the Wild matchup against a possible Stanley cup team.

Game Recap:

Keeping this one shorter.

The Wild came out with a lot of energy and passion in the first period. They got goals from Pitlick and Kaprizov.

Wild had the two-goal lead going into the second period.

It was a second period that saw the Stars try to make a push but Talbot denied their efforts. Hartman scored his eighth goal of the season to give the Wild the 3-0 lead going into the third period.

The Wild dominated the play and looked like they would cruise to the finish.

However, the Stars came out hungry in the third period and got a goal to cut the deficit to two.

Fans started to feel nervous and there were thoughts of a collapse.

Thankfully, this Wild team is different. They wasted no time getting the three-goal lead back and then grabbing a four-goal lead. Goligoski scored the fourth for the wild and Gaudreau had the fifth.

The Wild had the four-goal lead and were on their way to an easy win.

However, Benn reminded the Wild that the game is never over until it is over, he scored with eight minutes left to give the Stars some hope, 5-2 Wild.

Again the Wild wasted no time. Not even a minute after the goal, Zuccarello went and scored to push the lead back to four for the Wild.

Rask found the net almost 40 seconds after to give the Wild the 7-2 lead.

Stars coach made the decision to pull Khudobin and put in the backup. Jake Oettinger is from Lakeville Minnesota and had the chance to get a couple of minutes of the game against his hometown team.

It was a solid team win for the Wild.

What's Next:

Minnesota Wild ( 11-5 ) At Florida Panthers ( 12-2-3 ) Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021

Puck drop at 5 p. m. central

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