Matt Boldy scores a pair as Wild streak hits seven

**Wild Extend Winning Streak to Seven with 5-2 Victory Over Oilers**

ST. PAUL — With the band mostly back together, the Minnesota Wild made the goal horn wail once again on Saturday, securing their seventh straight win. Matt Boldy led the charge with two first-period goals as the Wild, playing with a healthier lineup after five regulars returned, relied on solid defense through the final two periods to hold off a determined Edmonton Oilers squad, winning 5-2.

Ryan Hartman’s opportunistic goal in the dying seconds of the opening period proved to be the difference-maker. Vladimir Tarasenko added insurance in the third period — his fourth goal in the past three games — helping the Wild improve to 4-0-0 since last week’s blockbuster trade for Quinn Hughes. Tarasenko later set up Nico Sturm for an empty-net goal with 85 seconds remaining.

“It’s exciting for sure,” Hughes said. “I think the team’s won seven in a row. I’ve been here for four. It’s exciting. We got two more before Christmas, hopefully grab those.”

Filip Gustavsson was busy all afternoon against Edmonton’s talented offense, finishing with 28 saves and improving his record to 12-8-3 as Minnesota’s starting goaltender.

“We know who to look out for out there against that team,” Hartman said, referencing Oilers stars Connor McDavid — who had a goal — and Leon Draisaitl, who contributed two assists. “You know the line that was matched up with them did a great job. We locked down the front of the net for the most part, pucks weren’t getting through, and when they did, Gus made some big saves. So, good team win.”

Boldy, who entered the contest with a three-game scoring streak, quickly extended it to four when he intercepted a puck from Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm at the defensive blue line. On the ensuing breakaway, Boldy’s crafty backhand slipped past the Edmonton goalie’s glove side less than five minutes into the game.

Near the midway point of the first period, Draisaitl was penalized for cross-checking and then drew a second minor for unsportsmanlike conduct after protesting too vehemently. On the ensuing extended power play, Boldy showed no subtlety. Taking a pass from Hughes, he blasted the puck high on the stick side past Calvin Pickard, doubling the Wild’s lead.

“Breakaway was just kind of a reaction and then kind of a slower pass on the power play, so I tried to go to the far side,” Boldy said after recording his third multi-goal game of the season.

The Oilers responded quickly, with Hartman finishing a nice give-and-go pass from Jake Middleton with 7.2 seconds left in the first period.

Edmonton had numerous chances on a power play early in the middle frame but couldn’t find the back of the net. The Wild also benefitted from some good fortune when a shot by Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard clanged off the inside of the post behind Gustavsson and bounced away safely. Minnesota’s defensive effort was highlighted by 20 blocked shots.

“Yeah. You know, it’s so fun to see. The goalies always appreciate it so much,” Gustavsson said of the team’s collective defensive effort. “You can’t cover all your body with pads as a player, and they still go out there and block those one-timer shots. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a skill guy or not, and you love to see that.”

Tarasenko, acquired in a July trade with Detroit, had been relatively quiet early in his tenure with the Wild but now has five goals since returning from an injury in late November. He scored on a loose puck in the crease behind Pickard after an initial shot by Yakov Trenin.

“Vladdy is skating really well, he’s ultra-competitive, he’s getting shots off,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “I felt like, since he’s gotten here, his responsibility in his play without the puck, from a defensive standpoint, has always been strong. Now he’s just getting rewarded for his hard work.”

Pickard finished the game with 32 saves for the Oilers, who had won four of their previous five games but are now 0-2-0 against the Wild this season.

The Wild’s three-game pre-Christmas homestand continues Sunday evening when Central Division-leading Colorado Avalanche make their second visit to St. Paul this season. The Wild claimed victory in their first meeting, winning 3-2 in a shootout on the day after Thanksgiving.
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