MINNEAPOLIS – Matt Boldy had a standout night with two goals and an assist as the Minnesota Wild scored five unanswered goals to defeat the New York Islanders 6-3 on Saturday night. The win marks Minnesota’s fifth victory in seven games.
Key Highlights
- Minnesota Wild Goals: Matt Boldy (2), Marco Rossi, Frederick Gaudreau, Yakov Trenin, Marcus Foligno
- Islanders Goals: Kyle Palmieri, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee
- Goaltenders: Filip Gustavsson made 30 saves for Minnesota, while Ilya Sorokin stopped 27 shots for the Islanders.
- Final Score: Minnesota Wild 6 – 3 New York Islanders
How the Game Unfolded
The Islanders started strong, taking a 3-1 lead midway through the second period with goals from Nelson, Lee, and Palmieri. However, the Wild mounted a comeback, scoring three goals in just over five minutes late in the second period to take the lead.
- Gaudreau’s Power-Play Goal: Sparked the rally
- Boldy’s Quick Follow-Up: Scored 51 seconds later, giving Minnesota momentum
- Trenin’s Go-Ahead Goal: Secured the 4-3 lead heading into the third
Boldy sealed the game early in the third period when his centering attempt deflected off Anthony DeAngelo and past Sorokin. Marcus Foligno added an empty-net goal after the Islanders pulled their goalie with five minutes left.
Player Performances
Minnesota Wild:
- Matt Boldy: 2 goals, 1 assist
- Jared Spurgeon: 2 assists
- Filip Gustavsson: 30 saves
New York Islanders:
- Kyle Palmieri: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Brock Nelson: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Maxim Tsyplakov: 2 assists
Additional Game Notes
- The Wild played without center Joel Eriksson Ek, who was scratched due to a lower-body injury. Eriksson Ek is expected to represent Sweden in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
- The Islanders’ Palmieri continued his recent hot streak, scoring his fourth goal in six games and notching 10 points in his last 12 contests.
- The Wild’s ability to bounce back was key, as they improved to 30-3-2 when scoring at least three goals in a game.
What’s Next?
Both teams are heading into a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off:
- Islanders: Host the Dallas Stars on Feb. 23
- Wild: Travel to play the Detroit Red Wings on Feb. 22
Minnesota’s momentum from their recent victories will be crucial as they return to the ice, while the Islanders will aim to regroup after losing three of their last four games.
