SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild is on the hunt tonight, seeking to dull the Sabres and secure the season sweep against Buffalo.
The Wild is on a two-win streak, finally finding some rhythm and chemistry after a rough return from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. G Filip Gustavsson saw his best two performances since the break in Minnesota’s last two games, saving 28-of-29 shots on goal against the Kings on 3/17 and 34-of-34 SOG against the Kraken on 3/19, tallying his 11th career shutout. Gustavsson now holds the title for fifth place all-time shutouts by a Wild goaltender.
Wild Record: 39-25-5, 83 points, 4th in Central Division
Sabres Record: 27-34-6, 60 points, 8th in Atlantic Division
2024-25 Series Record: 1-0-0
All-Time Wild Record: 16-10-6 (5-6-4 at Xcel Energy Center)
Minnesota won the series-opening game, 1-0, at KeyBank Center (11/27).
LW Kirill Kaprizov scored the game’s only goal, assisted by C Joel Eriksson Ek and LW Matt Boldy. Gustavsson saved all 39 shots faced to earn the shutout victory, marking the sixth-highest save total by a goaltender in a shutout victory in franchise history. The Wild also blocked 31 shots in the win over Buffalo, tied for the second-highest single-game total in franchise history (33 blocked shots at SJS, 12/6/11).
G Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 29-of-30 shots faced for the Sabres.
Minnesota shut out the Kraken 4-0 on Wednesday night in Saint Paul. The Wild scored its first three goals within 100 seconds in the first five minutes of the game. C Ryan Hartman netted the first, assisted by D Zach Bogosian and C Vinnie Hinostroza. About one minute later, Boldy sent the puck into the net unassisted. Just thirty seconds after Boldy’s goal, LW Liam Öhgren scored the third Wild goal of the night, assisted by C Freddy Gaudreau and C Gustav Nyquist. Boldy scored the final game of the night late in the third period, netting an empty netter assisted by Bogosian. Gustavsson stopped 34-of-34 shots on goal for his 11th career shutout win.
SEA at MIN | Recap
Reassigned D David Jiricek to Iowa
Signed D Stevie Leskovar to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2025-26 season
Recalled F Liam Öhgren under emergency conditions from Iowa
Traded F Reese Johnson to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for future considerations
Acquired F Justin Brazeau from the Boston Bruins in exchange for F Marat Khusnutdinov and F Jakub Lauko and a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, originally acquired from Boston
Acquired F Gustav Nyquist from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL DraftNashville retained 50% of Nyquist’s salary
Recalled D David Jiricek from Iowa
Assigned F Marat Khusnutdinov to Iowa
Reassigned F Liam Öhgren to Iowa
To view recent transactions, visit wild.com/transactions.
Jonas Brodin: lower-body injury (nine game missed)
Joel Eriksson Ek: lower-body injury (12 games missed)
Marcus Foligno: upper-body injury (two games missed)
Marcus Johansson (one game missed)
Kirill Kaprizov: lower-body injury (19 games missed)
For more information on today’s matchup, check out the game notes below.
