Wild Pull Off Upset of Bruins in Boston

The Minnesota Wild squared off with the Boston Bruins at TD Garden tonight. These two teams came in with fairly equal skill, with the Wild sporting a 19-10-2 record and the Bruins owning a 17-10-2 record. The Bruins had the goaltending advantage on paper. Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman held a 92% save percentage and averaged 2.2 goals allowed per game before this contest, better than Minnesota's Kaapo Kahkonen who came in with a 90.6% save percentage and averaged 2.7 goals allowed per game. The Bruins were expected to win, closing at a -160 favorite. The total on the game sat at 6 goals. Boston kicked off the scoring with a Taylor Hall power play goal 6:35 minutes into the game. The Wild came roaring back however, converting a 5v3 power play opportunity 15:25 minutes into the 1st period. Defenseman Brandon Carlo and Wing Brad Marchand both were rung up with minor penalties, setting up Minnesota Wing Kirill Kaprizov's 14th goal of the season. Not even 2 minutes later, they scored again. Jonas Brodin and Connor Dewar assisted Center Nico Sturm's goal that gave the Wild a 2-1 advantage. In the 2nd period, Wing Matthew Boldy extended Minnesota's lead further with his goal 12:26 minutes into the 2nd period. They maintained an advantage for the duration of the game, with their stout defense not letting up a goal in the 3rd period. The final score was 3-2 in Minnesota's favor.

Minnesota's Matthew Boldy chases a puck.

Matthew Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov, and Nick Sturm made up the Wild's scoring core, and Defenseman Jonas Brodin led the squad in assists with 2 tonight. Kaapo Kahkonen earned his 5th win, allowing 2 goals on a 94.7% save percentage. Taylor Hall and Brad Marchand owned a goal a piece for the Bruins. Jeremy Swayman will take the loss tonight, allowing 3 goals on a 90% save percentage. Despite the Bruins winning the faceoff and shots on goal battle, they just could not convert the opportunities into goals. The Wild have now accumulated 42 points, good for 5th in the West. They host a solid Capitals team the next time they hit the ice. Boston is now 8th in the East and have accumulated 36 points on the season. They have a difficult date with the Lightning, who own the best record in the NHL, on the 8th.

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