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Wild Embark on Long Road Trip, Starting with Jets
The Minnesota Wild are facing an early-season challenge as they begin a seven-game road trip, starting with a clash against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night. The Wild, coming off a 5-4 shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, will have to quickly regroup with minimal rest as they hit the road for an extended stretch.
Wild’s Tough Back-to-Back Challenge
Just 24 hours after battling through 60 minutes of regulation, five minutes of overtime, and a shootout, the Wild will be back on the ice against a well-rested Jets team. Minnesota is 1-0-1 after two home games, but they let a lead slip late against the Kraken on Saturday, with Jared McCann tying the game for Seattle with 3:26 left in the third period. The Kraken went on to win in the shootout.
Despite the disappointment, Wild forward Marcus Foligno remained positive about the team’s effort. “You can’t be disappointed with our effort,” Foligno said. “It’s disappointing to lose that extra point. You want to be a team that closes out games. But for the most part, if we bring that game to Winnipeg, it’s going to be another positive outcome hopefully.”
The challenge for the Wild will be managing fatigue as they embark on this lengthy road trip. With a grueling schedule ahead, they’ll need to rely on depth and consistency to avoid falling into a rut early in the season.
Jets Riding Momentum
The Winnipeg Jets are off to a strong start, winning both of their first two games, including a dominant 6-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers and a 2-1 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. Mark Scheifele has been leading the charge, scoring both goals against Chicago, including the overtime winner. In the process, Scheifele became the second player in franchise history to score 300 goals, joining Ilya Kovalchuk.
“It’s pretty humbling to think about,” Scheifele said of the milestone. “It’s pretty wild. I’m very thankful for the guys that I’ve played with. I’m lucky enough to play with some really good players. It’s all thanks to them.”
Scheifele’s strong start is a good sign for the Jets as they look to continue their winning streak against Minnesota. Winnipeg’s defense and goaltending have been stellar, allowing just one goal over two games.
Goaltending Matchup
The Wild are expected to turn to Filip Gustavsson in goal after Marc-Andre Fleury started on Saturday. Gustavsson earned a win in Minnesota’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing just two goals on 33 shots. He has also had success against the Jets in his career, going 4-1-0 with a 1.71 goals-against average (GAA) and a .943 save percentage in five appearances against Winnipeg.
On the other side, Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start for the Jets. Hellebuyck has been outstanding in his first two games, boasting a 2-0-0 record with a minuscule 0.50 GAA and a .982 save percentage. He has stopped 55 of the 56 shots he’s faced so far this season. Hellebuyck has been solid against Minnesota throughout his career, posting a 12-10-2 record with a 2.71 GAA and a .914 save percentage.
Injury Concerns for Minnesota
The Wild could be without veteran forward Joel Eriksson Ek, who was injured during Saturday’s game after taking an elbow to the face from Seattle’s Adam Larsson. Eriksson Ek briefly returned to the game wearing a protective face shield but did not play after the second period. His status for Sunday’s game is uncertain, and his absence would be a blow to Minnesota’s forward depth.
Eriksson Ek has been a key player for the Wild and already has a goal this season. If he is unavailable, Minnesota will need other players to step up to fill the void, particularly in a tough road matchup against a confident Jets team.
Key Matchups to Watch
1. Filip Gustavsson vs. Connor Hellebuyck:
Both goalies have been sharp to start the season, and this game could turn into a goaltending duel. Gustavsson has had success against Winnipeg, while Hellebuyck has been nearly unbeatable through two games. The outcome may come down to which goalie makes the key saves at critical moments.
2. Mark Scheifele vs. Wild Defense:
Scheifele has been the Jets’ offensive leader, and the Wild will need to find a way to contain him. After his two-goal performance against Chicago, including the overtime winner, Scheifele will look to extend his hot streak.
3. Wild’s Depth Without Eriksson Ek:
If Eriksson Ek is unable to play, the Wild will need their depth players to step up, especially on the road. Players like Marcus Foligno, Matt Boldy, and others will need to shoulder more responsibility against a well-rounded Jets lineup.
Game Outlook
The Wild face a tough test on the second night of a back-to-back against a Jets team that has shown strong defensive play and solid goaltending. With fatigue potentially being a factor, Minnesota will need a complete team effort to stay competitive. On the other hand, the Jets are riding momentum and have the advantage of rest, which could make the difference.
If the Wild can shake off their loss to Seattle and find energy in the early stages, they have the firepower to make it a close game. However, with Connor Hellebuyck in top form and Mark Scheifele leading the offense, Winnipeg will be tough to beat on home ice. Expect a tight, physical matchup between two Central Division rivals.
Prediction
The Jets are in a better position heading into this game, with the Wild potentially missing Eriksson Ek and coming off a taxing shootout loss. If Winnipeg’s defense continues to play well and Hellebuyck maintains his elite form, the Jets should have the edge.
Jets 3, Wild 2
