The Minnesota Wild remained red hot in their dominant 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers to earn their seventh straight win in a row and claimed a solid foothold in second place in the Central Division.
BADER'S TAKE:
The Minnesota Wild are buzzing and at the right time.
In years past, the Wild almost always seemed to finish the season on a poor note. However, this is not like years past and the Wild this year seems to have hit high gear at the most important time.
Kaprizov is on an absolute tear. He has 13 goals in his last 13 games and looks like he will smash the Franchise record for points and goals in a single season.
Fiala is just as hot with four points in his last four games and matched a career high for goals with 23.
Talbot has been red hot and the addition of the flower ( Fleury ) has made him seemingly better. He has won his last eight games. He has to prove that he belongs.
Fleury has been great in his two starts with the Wild. With both goalies red hot, the team seems to have a newfound confidence in their goalies and themselves.
Minnesota has won seven in a row and I don't see any reason why they cannot challenge the Avalanche for the top spot in the Central.
Kaprizov should've had his 83rd point and should've tied the franchise record for points in a single season. The goal was waved off immediately due to goalie interference. However, after the video recap, it clearly showed the Flyers player pushing Hartman into the goalie. That should have been reversed and would have been if Dean Evason challenged it.
He didn't challenge the goal and thus Kaprizov will have to wait to tie the Gaborik record of 83 points that was set in the 07-08 season. I just feel for him because that was not interference and to take away a goal that would have been franchise record-tying is criminal.
It will happen for Kaprizov, it is just a matter of when and against whom.
Game Recap:
The Wild came out flying and put a quick shot on the net. Minnesota was the hottest team in the league coming into the game, riding a six-game win streak, and they showed no letup against the slower Philadelphia Flyers.
Deslauriers and Seeler fought midway through the first period to set the tone for the rest of the game. Deslauriers had a bloody nose after, but he did his job and got the team and crowd into the game.
With just over five minutes to play in the period, Matt Boldy found Matt Dumba in the slot for an easy goal to give the Wild the lead.
It was Dumba's sixth goal of the season.
Not long after, Kaprizov skated in the slot and effortlessly rifled a shot past Jones to give Minnesota the 2-0 lead going into the second period.
It was Kaprizov's 37th goal of the season and his 82nd point.
Minnesota continued the energy and total dominance.
The Big Rig, Jordan Greenway, scored early into the second period to give the Wild a three-goal lead. It came off a rebound and Greenway just crashed the net and buried the loose puck.
Minnesota continued to pressure the Flyers. They gained several power plays because the Flyers just couldn't stay with the Wild.
Minnesota made them pay.
Kevin Fiala sniped a shot past Jones to make it 4-0 on what was a delayed penalty call against Philadelphia. It was Fiala's 23rd goal of the season which tied a career-high for him. He has four points in his last four games.
Minnesota was completely in control and dominated the game. They just had to keep up their high level of play in the third period and not allow Philadelphia any hope of coming back.
Minnesota continued to play hard, but the Flyers came out with more energy and had more fight in them in the third period.
Jost was called for a double high-sticking minor because it drew blood. Philadelphia had a four-minute power-play with 17 minutes to play and a chance to get back into the game.
Morgan Frost got the Flyers on the board on a rebound goal, 4-1 Wild.
Merill got called for slashing with just over 11 minutes to play and the Wild found themselves back on the penalty kill.
Minnesota killed the penalty and had two breakaway chances, but couldn't get the shorthanded goal.
Minnesota did what they needed to and withstood the Flyers' push to earn their seventh straight victory.
What's Next:
Minnesota hosts the Pittsburg Penguins on Thursday in the final game of their nine game home-stand that has seen them lose just once. The Penguins lost on Tuesday to the Rangers and they are in a tight battle in the Metropolitan Division. They will surely be looking for a bounce-back against the Wild.
Minnesota will look to continue its hot streak and winning ways, but it will not be as easy as it was on Tuesday. I expect Talbot to get the start for the Wild.
Thursday, March 31, 2022. at 7:00 p. m. central time
Author: Alex Bader
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Exciting to see the wins!