Alex Bader
Once again, the Minnesota Wild came from behind by scoring four unanswered goals in the third period to beat the New York Islanders, 5-2. It was Minnesota Wild's seventh time coming from behind to get the win in the 11 games they have played. Minnesota improved to 8-3 on the season and jumped into first place in the central division with 16 points.
Less than 24 hours after coming off of a dramatic comeback win in the shootout over the Penguins, the Minnesota Wild had to square off against the New York Islanders on home ice. They did it by coming back from a two-goal deficit in the final five minutes of the game.
Never say die.
But, that was last night, and tonight it was a new game against a new opponent.
The game tonight marked the first time former Minnesota Wild player, Zach Parise, had to play against his old team in the Wild. Parise signed a one-year deal with the Islanders after being bought out over the summer.
Minnesota started hot in the game. They pressed, got pucks to the net, and had the better of the chances.
The Wild had good legs and seemed to be moving with lots of energy.
Zuccarello and Kaprizov looked great, getting several great chances.
While Minnesota was on a delayed penalty, Anders Lee had a blocked shot come right to his stick and was able to bury it past Kahkonen. Minnesota trailed by one with 18 seconds left in the first period.
It was a solid period for Minnesota but it was spoiled in the final moments of the period. Minnesota had several good chances and outshot the Isles 14-10.
Minnesota would need another comeback effort to grab a point or two.
Minnesota came out into the second and continued to battle.
With just over 12 minutes to play in the second period, the Wild went on the powerplay with a chance to tie the game. It was the former Wild player, Parise, who got called for the penalty.
The Rookie, Brandon Duhaime, surprised Varlamov with a quick shot that bounced off of Nick Bjugstad to tie the game, 1-1. Duhaime was credited with the assist, his third of the season.
Things can happen and change quickly in the world of sports.
At the 12-minute mark, Anders Lee buried his second of the night. Barzal found Lee on a 2-on-1.
Merrill got a cross-checking penalty shortly after, the Islanders had a chance to double the lead.
Instead, it was the Wild penalty killers who stepped up their game and pressed while shorthanded. Foligno and Sturm both had great looks at a shorthanded goal.
Kahkonen made a great save at the end of the second to keep the deficit at one. Minnesota went into the second intermission down a goal, 2-1 Islanders.
Minnesota went into the second intermission trailing by one after fighting hard to try and tie the game.
Minnesota started the third period red hot and penetrated Varlamov with shots.
Minnesota continued to pressure.
Ryan Hartman tied up the game with just under 13 minutes to play in the third period. It was his fourth goal in the last five games and was his sixth of the season. He leads the team in goals.
Kulikov skated into the offensive zone and shot the puck, which was blocked, and Hartman followed up with his own shot.
Duhaime scored his second goal of his career to put the Wild in the lead with just over 10 minutes to play, 3-2 Wild. It was beautiful snipe from the top of the circles.
The Minnesota Wild were buzzing.
They forced a power play right after getting the go-ahead goal. The Wild had a chance to push the lead to two, with just under 10 minutes to play in the game.
The Wild had tons of chances on the power play.
The Islanders were able to survive the onslaught of chances during the PK and get back to full strength.
Minnesota had the 3-2 lead with six minutes to play.
New York had to pull the goalie to give them a chance.
Jonas Brodin stole the puck then sailed it down the ice into the empty net, 4-2 Minnesota.
The Islanders pulled the goalie again with just over a minute left.
This time it was Dumba who sailed it down the ice to seal the win for Minnesota and complete the comeback win, 5-2 Wild.
Minnesota outshot the Islanders by 16-2 in the third period, making it a dominant period by the Wild.
It was a great game for Minnesota and may have been their most complete game of the season.
It was the first career multi-point game for Duhaime. It was the first game-winning goal of his career.
Kahkonen made 19 saves on 21 shots and got his first win of the year.
BADER'S TAKE
The Comeback Kids did it again.
For the 7th time this year, the Wild came from behind to get the win. This team never quits and it is exhilarating. The seven come-from-behind wins are leading the league in that category.
They did it tonight by coming back against a very solid Islanders team that is known for stingy defending.
They are doing this on the backs of no individual player. All the lines and all players are contributing, which is very exciting to see and exciting to watch.
Who would have thought Harman would be leading the team in goals after 11 games in the season? I bet no one!
But he has proved himself over and over, he certainly has become a key player for the Wild. He doesn't just lead the team in goals, he seems to get the big goals. Both tonight and last night, he got the tying goal. Those are big goals where big players need to step up and he is proving that he can.
Kahkonen looked great in his first win. He was able to shake off the early goal and made several big saves for the Wild. It was a promising performance from the young goaltender. If the Wild are to make a run this season, they will need both goalies because the games start to come fast and furious later in the season.
The Wild have proved that they are a team to pay attention to and that they are not the Wild of the past couple of years.
Duhaime is off to a fantastic rookie year for the Wild tonight he took a huge step in his play. We saw some moments of greatness from him.
Minnesota has a three game road trip coming up this week out west and a chance to build on the three game winning streak momentum.
What's Next:
Minnesota Wild (8-3 16 points) at Arizona Coyotes (1-10-1 3 points) Wednesday November, 10th puck drop at 9 p. m. ct.
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They definitely keot is on the edges of our seats.