Tag: Minnesota Wild

Sharks Upset Wild, Win 2-1 in OT

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (30) deflects a shot by the Minnesota Wild’s left wing Marcus Folingo (17) in the first period at the Target Center in St. Paul on Tue Nov 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday. Will Smith and Collin Graf scored for San Jose. Yaroslav Askarov made 28 saves for the win. Matt Boldy scored for the Wild and Filip Gustavsson made 16 saves in the loss.

The first period ended scoreless with the Wild out-shooting the Sharks 8-5. Each team took one minor penalty but the penalty kills were perfect.

Matt Boldy scored the first goal of the game on the power play at 5:02 of the second period. Mats Zuccarello set up Boldy with a cross-ice pass from just above the goal line. An assist also went to Zeev Buium.

The Wild outshot the Sharks 15-5 in the second period. The Sharks took three penalties to the Wild’s one.

Will Smith scored a power play goal midway through the third period to tie the game. The goal came off of a four-touch play starting with a drop-pass from Macklin Celebrini to William Eklund and ending with a cross-ice pass from Celebrini to Smith for the shot. Assists went to Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli.

The third period saw the Sharks finally catch up on the shot clock, leading 7-6. The Wild toook the only penalty of the third.

As they had been in much of the game, the Wild looked like the dominant team in overtime. The Sharks spent very little time in control of the puck. Finally, Macklin Celebrini did get the puck and carried it in for a pass through the Wild defense. Collin Graf caught that pass and scored the game winner at 2:41 of overtime. Sam Dickinson also got an assist.

The Sharks next play on Thursday in Calgary against the Flames at 6:00 PM PT.

Sharks Beat Wild 6-5 with Celebrini OT goal in Minnesota

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San Jose Sharks right wing Ryan Reaves (75) scores a goal in the second period and is congratulated by teammates center Ty Dellandrea (10) and defenseman Vincent Desharnais (5) against the Minnesota Wild at the Target Center in St Paul on Sun Oct 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Minnesota Wild 6-5 in overtime on Sunday. William Eklund, Michael Misa, Ryan Reaves, Tyler Toffoli and Macklin Celebrini scored for the Sharks. Yaroslav Askarov made 28 saves for the win. Marcus Johansson, Marco Rossi, Ryan Hartman and Zeev Buium scored for the Wild. Jesper Wallstedt made 19 saves in the loss.

The Sharks’ young stars shined in this win. William Eklund scored twice, Michael Misa scored his first NHL goal and Macklin Celebrini scored a stunning game-winner. Despite that, the Sharks once again had trouble holding a lead, starting the third period with a 4-2 lead and ending up tied 5-5.

After the game, Tyler Toffoli spoke to that, saying that the team “gave up too many opportunities, kind of backed off, let them forecheck and do what they wanted to do. So obviously that’s something we’ve got to figure out.”

Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky said: “We did some good things. We’re growing, learning lessons as we go here. That’s probably the biggest thing we take from tonight.”

William Eklund gave the Sharks a lead with his third goal of the season on the power play at 5:28. Lurking next to the net, Eklund waited for a pass from Macklin Celebrini, then swept the puck around Wallstedt. Assists went to Celebrini and Dmitry Orlov.

Michael Misa scored his first NHL goal at 13:35. Timothy Liljegren took a shot at the left side of the net but it slid across to the other side. Misa was there to nudge it over the line.

The Wild scored at 17:02, a power play goal from Marcus Johansson. Johansson was next to the right hand post when M Rossi’s shot came through the blue paint in front of Askarov. The puck went off of Johansson’s leg into the net. Assists went to Rossi and Brock Faber.

Marco Rossi made it a tie game 32 seconds later. An interception in the neutral zone created a two-on-one for the Wild. Kirill Kaprizov carried the puck in, then passed to Rossi for the shot.

At the end of the period, the shots were 10-8 Sharks. The Sharks took two penalties and the Wild took one.

William Eklund gave the Sharks the lead again at 11:15 of the second period. Philipp Kurashev caught the puck as it came out of a board battle, the passed it back down to Eklund in front of the net for a tap in.

Ryan Reaves made it 4-2 with a goal 19 seconds later, redirecting Barclay Goodrow’s shot from the boards. Goodrow and Ty Dellandrea got the assists.

In the second period, the shots were 9-6 Sharks. Only one penalty was called in the second period, and it went against the Sharks.

The Wild got one back at 4:28 of the third period. Ryan Hartman scored with a wrist shot on the power play. Assists went to Kaprizov and Faber.

Tyler Toffoli restored the two goal lead with a power play goal at 7:52. Celebrini and Eklund tried the same play they scored with before but that did not work. When Celebrini got the puck back, he skated to the net and made a backhand pass to Toffoli. Toffoli’s quick shot went in. Assists went to Celebrini and Eklund.

Zeev Buium made it 5-4 at 8:28 with a wrist shot from the blue line. Assists went to Hartman and Yakov Trenin.

Dmitry Orlov collided with Ryan Hartman at 15:03 and, after a conference, the officials called it a major penalty. The NHL reviewed the call and deemed it no penalty at all.

The Wild tied the game again at 17:42. Joel Eriksson Ek tipped Kaprizov’s shot to make it 5-5. Assists went to Kaprizov and Faber.

Minnesota outshot the Sharks 17-5 in the third period. Each team took one penalty.

The overtime period looked bad for the Sharks. The Sharks were trapped and tired in their zone when William Eklund risked a change to get Celebrini on the ice. Celebrini chased down the puck and skated in all alone to score the game winner.

The Sharks next play on Tuesday back in San Jose against the Los Angeles Kings at 8:00 PM PT.

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Sharks conclude road trip in Minnesota Sunday

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New Jersey Devils Dawson Mercer (91) and San Jose Sharks Philipp Kurashev (right) battle for the puck in the first period at the Prudential Center Newark NJ on Fri Oct 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa

#1 The New Jersey Devils Dougie Hamilton got two goals against the San Jose Sharks and they were key goals enough to get by the San Jose Sharks 3-1 on Friday night at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.

#2 New Jersey came in hot with the win they pick up their seventh win in a row going into this one the Sharks knew they would have their hands full against the Devils?

#3 New Jersey’s Connor Brown added a goal and Nico Hischier picked up two assists and the Devils have not lost a game since opening night when the bowed to the Carolina Hurricanes.

#4 Tough luck for San Jose who have now lost their seventh game out of their last eight dropping their record to 1-5-2.

#5 The Sharks conclude this five game road trip against the Minnesota Wild Sun Oct 26th. The Wild have been struggling losing four of their last five games. The Wild lost their last game to New Jersey 4-1 last Wed Oct 22nd at the Prudential Center.

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Len Shapiro Fri May 2, 2025: Leafs eliminate Sens in six games with 4-2 win; Knights edge Wild 3-2 to advance to next round; plus more NHL news

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Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander (right) and Matthew Knies (23) as Autin Matthews scores on the Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) in game six of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canadian Tire Centre on Thu May 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 In the Eastern Conference first round Max Pacioretty ended a 2-2 deadlock for the Toronto Maple Leafs at 5:39 in the third period and eliminated the Ottawa Senators 4-2 and in the series by the same score in game six at Canadian Tire Centre Thursday night. Senators goalie Linus Ullmark was beat by Pacioretty glove side with a wrist shot from the left face off circle.

#2 The Vegas Golden Knights Jack Eichel scored his first goal in the playoffs and also added an assist as the Knights eliminated the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in game six in the First Round of the Western Conference playoffs at the Xcel Energy Center Thursday night.

#3 Colorado Avalanche Valeri Nichushkin led with two goals to help prevent the Avalanche from being eliminated in game 6 on Thursday night with a 7-4 win at Ball Arena in Denver. The series is now tied up 3-3 with game seven in Dallas on Saturday. The Aves Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Martin Necas scored a goal and got an assist.

#4 The Edmonton Oilers eliminated the Los Angeles Kings in game six four games to two. The Oilers got a two goal win 6-4 and got goals from Connor Brown, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, Trent Frederic, and Adam Hendrique. Plenty of help in putting this first round to bed on Thursday night.

#5 Friday night the Winnipeg Jets who hold a 3-2 lead over the St Louis Blues play game six at the Enterprise Center. It’s been a grind of a series with the Jets winning the last game 5-3 on Wednesday night in Winnipeg. The Blues have home ice and tie this series up in game 6.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Len Shapiro Fri Apr 25, 2025:Panthers take 2-0 series lead over Lightning; Leafs win in OT edge Sens 3-2 for 3-0 series lead; plus more NHL news

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Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes as teammate defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) clears Tampa Bay center Brayden Point (21) in the first period during game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amailie Arena in Tampa Bay on Thu Apr 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast:

#1 Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 19 shots and the Panthers went onto shutout the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 in the first round of the Eastern Conference at Amalie Arena on Thursday night in game 2 of the series. The Panthers now take a 2-0 series lead.

#2 The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken a 3-0 lead in their series against the Ottawa Senators. The Leafs edged the Senators 3-2 in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday night. The Leafs Simon Benoit scored at 1:19 in the overtime stanza to get the Leafs the win.

#3 The Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov scored two goals for the second consecutive game. The Wild now take a 2-1 lead in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs after defeating Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 at the Xcel Energy Center on Thursday night. Marco Rossi and Matt Boldy each scored goals. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson stopped 30 shots.

#4 The St Louis Blues Pavel Buchenvich got a hat trick scoring three goals it was Buchenvich’s first career playoff hat trick who also picked up an assist as the Blues landslide the Winnipeg Jets in game 3 with a 7-2 win in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the win the Blues take a 2-1 series lead.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Playoff podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Len Shapiro Fri Apr 18, 2025: Playoffs begin Saturday night; Eight games in total

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The Winnipeg Jets Dylan Samberg (54), Neil Pionk (4), Cole Perfetti (91), Nino Niederreiter (62), celebrate Pionk’s goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period on Wed Apr 16, 2025 during the final regular season game in Winnipeg. The Jets are the favorites in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to make the finals as they face off against the St Louis Blues on Sat Apr 19, 2025. (Canadian Press photo via AP)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Len Shapiro Fri Apr 18, 2025:

#1 Len, lets take a run down of the the NHL Playoff series. Starting with the St Louis Blues (44-30-8) and Winnipeg Jets (56-22-4). The Jets are the winner of this year’s presidents cup do you see them as the favorites in the Stanley Cup on Saturday night?

#2 The Ottawa Senators (45-35-7) going against the Toronto Maple Leafs (52-26-4) on Sun Apr 20th.

#3 The battle of the Florida teams it’s a real rivalry going on with the Florida Panthers ((47-31-4) they’ll take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (47-27-8) starting Tue Apr 22.

#4 Mon Apr 21 it’s the Montreal Canadiens (40-31-11) going up against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (51-22-9) at the Capital Center on Mon Apr 21st.

#5 New Jersey Devils (42-33-7) against the Carolina Hurricanes (47-30-5) this Sun Apr 20th.

#6 Sat Apr 19 it’ll be the Colorado Avalanche (49-29-4) at the Dallas Stars (50-26-6).

#7 Sun Apr 20 Minnesota Wild (45-30-7) at the Las Vegas Golden Knights (50-22-10)

#8 The Edmonton Oilers (48-29-5) will be facing off against the Los Angeles Kings (48-24-9) on Monday Apr 21st at Crypto.com Arena.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Sharks play second of three games in two weeks with Oilers in Edmonton tonight

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Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fluery (29) defends in front of the net as San Jose Sharks center Cam Lund (46) tries to apply the pressure in the second period at the XCel Energy Center in St Paul on Thu Apr 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Minnesota Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek got a hat trick plus one more goal in the Wild’s 8-7 win over the San Jose Sharks at the Excel Energy Center. The Sharks defense couldn’t get a handle on stopping Ek.

#2 The Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov scored his second goal in overtime. The Wild dominated in the first and second periods with two goals and three goals respectively.

#3 With the win the Wild move into the first wild card position in the Western Conference with the St Louis Blues loosing to the Edmonton Oilers in later scheduled game.

#4 The Sharks Macklin Celebrini scored three goals and had two assists and teammate Will Smith had three assists. The Sharks got goals from Tyler Toffoli, and Nikolai Kovalenko. Goaltender Alex Georgiev saved 36 shots.

#5 The task doesn’t get easier as the Sharks are in Edmonton tonight to face the Oilers. The Oilers are third in the Pacific Division at 45-28-5 having won five of their last ten games. For the Sharks dead last in the Pacific Division and their currently on a seven game losing streak.

Mary Lisa does the San Jose Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Fall 8-7 to Wild in Minnesota Barn Burner, Celebrini, Smith Shine

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Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) defends against a shot as San Jose Sharks center Cam Lund (46) pressures during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

By Mary Walsh

Marcus Johansson, Brock Faber, Joel Ericksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov scored for Minnesota. Ericksson Ek scored four of the Wild’s goals and Kaprizov scored two. Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves for the win. Tyler Toffoli, Macklin Celebrini, Carl Grundstrom, Nikolai Kovalenko and Will Smith scored for San Jose, with Celebrini earning his first NHL hat trick and Smith earning three assists. Alexandar Georgiev made 36 saves in the loss.

Celebrini became the youngest Sharks player to score three goals in a game. He is also now the Sharks’ all-time rookie points leader, with 62. Pat Falloon had 59. Not far down that same list is Will Smith with 44 points.

After the game, Will Smith talked about the comeback and the loss. “I think it’s been our kind of model all year that we’re never out of it but it’s obviously tough in the end.” Celebrini also mentioned the team’s tenacity: “We kept going, we kept pushing, we never really gave up.”

Tyler Toffoli talked about the pressure on these rookies: “They are relied on already to be the cornerstones of the franchise. Really proud of them, the way they handled themselves tonight but they’re going to have to do that for the rest of my time here.”

Toffoli scored the first goal of the game at 12:11 of the first period. William Eklund, at the goal line, took a pass from Alexander Wennberg and then passed the puck to Toffoli for the shot.

Marcus Johansson tied the game at 14:16 with a shot from the point. Assists went to Frederick Gaudreau and Gustav Nyquist.

Brock Faber gave the Wild a lead at 18:48 with a shot from high in the slot and through traffic. An assist went to Matt Boldy.

The Wild outshot the Sharks 17-10 in the first period. The Sharks went through a prolonged spell without a shot in the later half of the period, though they mustered a flurry of offense in the final minute or two.

Macklin Celebrini tied the game at two with a wrist shot at 7:29 of the second period. Catching a pass from Jack Thompson, Celebrini rolled around the Wild defender and then slid the puck around Fleury on the stick side. Assists went to Thompson and Will Smith.

Less than 20 seconds later, Joel Ericksson Ek gave the Wild a 3-2 lead. Assists went to Marcus Foligno and Matt Boldy.

Carl Grundstrom tied it again less than a minute later. Grundstrom carried the puck through the neutral zone and over the line before dropping it to Cam Lund, who gave it back as Grundstrum arrived at the net.

Macklin Celebrini made it 4-3 Sharks at 12:28. He ad the puck near the boards and passed it behind the net to Smith, who sent it back out when Celebrini went to the slot. Assists went to Smith and Timothy Liljegren.

Kirill Kaprizov tied it at 4 with a power play goal at 17:02. Assists went to Mats Zuccarello and Joel Ericksson Ek. Ericksson Ek scored his second of the game on a power play at 19:48. Assists went to Marco Rossi and Matt Boldy.

In the second period, the Wild outshot the Sharks but only 15-14, reflecting a much closer period. The Sharks took two penalties and a third matching minor in the second period.

Joel Ericksson Ek completed his hat trick with a power play goal 1:02 into the third. Assists went to Kaprizov and Zuccarello. Ericksson Ek made it a haul just over a minute later. Assists went to Boldy and Foligno.

Nikolai Kovalenko scored for the Sharks at 4:44. The goal was the start of a surprising third period comeback by the Sharks. Assists went to Celebrini and Henry Thrun.

Celebrini completed his hat trick and brought the Sharks within a goal at 10:02 of the third. Assists went to Smith and Kovalenko.

Will Smith tied the game with the Sharks net empty and less than a minute left on the clock. He took the shot from the top of the face-off circle into traffic at the net. Assists went to Lijegren and Celebrini.

Kirill Kaprizov scored the game winner for Minnesota at 1:01 of overtime. Assists went to Zuccarello and Jared Spurgeon.

The Sharks next play on Friday in Edmonton against the Oilers at 6:30 PM PT.

Sharks Let Another One Get Away Lose To Flames 3-2

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Sharks Celebrate goal over Calgary at SAP Center in San Jose on Apr 7 (Sharks Media)

By: Fernando Abarca

The losses continue to mount for the Teal team, which suffered another defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames 3-2. In this game, the team that scored first failed to take advantage of its numerical advantage.

For Calgary, it was necessary to get wins as they remain in the fight for a Wild Card playoff spot, and the Alberta team knows every point counts. For our Sharks, all that remains is to close out the year with a win, in what was their penultimate home game before closing out the season against Edmonton.

It’s also important to offer our sincere condolences to a colleague in the hockey world. During the game, it was announced the passing of Greg Millen, former NHL player and analyst for Hockey Night in Canada for the Canadian network Sportsnet where the Canadian network did not produce the game for Canadian viewers and broadcasting the Sharks’ NBC Sports broadcast instead.

During the first period, the Sharks took the lead near the end of the first period with a goal by Will Smith, assisted by Nikolai Kovalenko and Macklin Celebrini, both assisting players tried to score another goal in Calgary’s goal.

Georgie Romanov was in charge of the goaltending duties, recording 29 saves. However, the stats seem to go against him as he recorded his fourth loss in six games with the Sharks.

The Sharks tried to gain control of the puck and possession during the second period, but the period remained scoreless and still having the Teal ahead by one.

The nightmare came in the final period, something the home team hadn’t anticipated. Calgary took a three-goal lead starting eight minutes into the third period, with Adam Kapla tying the score.

At the last minute, Jonathan Huberdeau put Calgary ahead 2-1, and then Matt Coronato closed the scoring for the visitors, leaving the Sharks at 3-1.

The game-winning goal came at the last minute, thanks to a power play by Will Smith, who left the score at 2-2 for the Sharks.

With this result, the Sharks are down to 20-47-10. The Sharks will travel on the road to Minnesota to try to avoid furthering the Wild’s playoff hopes, and then head to Canada.

The Sharks will be home on April 16 when they host the Edmonton Oilers for the final time this season, concluding the Sharks’ NHL campaign for the year.

Utah HC Runs Wild Over Minnesota In 6-1 Outburst

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Utah Hockey Club center Jack McBain (22) mixes it up with Minnesota Wild defenseman Jack Middleton (5) in the first period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thu Feb 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Clayton Keller registers Utah franchise record 5 points and nine different players made the score sheet in commanding victory over Minnesota Wild for fourth straight home win.

The Utah Hockey Club concluded their February home schedule with a bang on Thursday night, exploding with 6 goals in regulation for the first time this season against Marc-Andre Fleury and the Wild, winning the season series against Minnesota with a 3-0-1 record.  The victory gave Utah a 4-1 home record for the month during which they outscored their opponents 14-7.

Just over 3 minutes into the first period, Wild defenseman Declan Chisholm went to the penalty box for holding against Clayton Keller.  Utah forward Barrett Hayton promptly cashed it in for his 16th goal of the season, assisted by Keller and Mikhail Sergachev.  Shortly after dropping the puck, Jack McBain and Jake Middleton dropped their gloves for a spirited bout which brought the Delta Center faithful to their feet roaring with approval.  With less than a minute remaining in the period, Minnesota defenseman Jonas Brodin went to the sin bin for hooking against Nick Schmaltz, and Marcus Foligno joined him 3 seconds later with a double minor penalty for high-sticking against Nick Schmaltz who left behind a pool of blood on the ice.  The Wild didn’t have a chance against Utah’s 5-on-3 power play as Dylan Guenther scored his 22nd goal of the season on a slap shot, assisted by Keller and Hayton, giving the home squad a 2-0 lead heading into the locker room.

At 16:02 of the second period, Minnesota forward Frederick Gaudreau cut the lead in half with a snap shot for his 12th goal of the season, assisted by Matt Boldy, but Utah defenseman Sean Durzi, who returned to the ice last Sunday after a 52-game absence, restored Utah’s lead with his first goal of the season, assisted by Josh Doan and Olli Määttä.

In the third period, Utah turned on the afterburners to deny the Wild any chance at a comeback while making Marc-Andre Fleury’s life miserable.  At 3:47 of the period, forward Nick Schmaltz put Utah up 4-1 with his 12th goal of the season, assisted by Logan Cooley and Keller.  At 9:30, Keller netted his 22nd of the season, assisted by Schmaltz and Sergachev.  Finally, putting an exclamation point on Utah’s dominant performance, Cooley scored his 17th of the season, assisted by Keller – his 47th helper overall and 4th on the night – and Schmaltz.

Earning the victory, Karel Vejmelka stopped 15 of 16 shots for his 4th consecutive win, allowing just 5 goals over that span.

In the locker room, Sean Durzi talked about the team’s defense finally being healthy again.  “It’s a lot of good depth. We got six guys going right now, we got guys who aren’t playing who can do just as good. It’s so important to have that, but it’s our energy we’re bringing. Guys are rooting for each other, breakouts are huge. Just small plays that take a little bit of poise. We’re making that extra play that is allowing our forwards to get speed, and then guys like (Clayton Keller) and (Logan Cooley) to show their skill, and it shows. We do our best we can, but to have six defensemen going with good energy, shift after shift, is so important.”

Captain Clayton Keller spoke of his team’s effort on a night where he set a franchise record with 5 points.  “I think ever since the break, even the game against (Los Angeles), we’ve just had a different feel in our game. We’ve had more confidence, we’re playing for each other, we’re playing the right way, and this is the time of year that you want to do that. So we’ll enjoy this for a couple minutes and turn the page and be ready for the next one here. … Like I said, I think we’re playing with a lot of confidence, even the games where they were tight, and 2-1 we still liked our looks. Like you said, we just had some poise, some confidence with the puck and (we) got to keep it going.” When asked about the team’s recent success at home, Keller commented, “It’s great. We struggled there for a little bit at home. I liked how we bounced back. And, like I said, we’re playing with a lot of confidence right now. Just got to keep it going. Every game is so important. It’s an exciting time of year. This is when you want to play your best, and this is what you put all the extra work in for.”

Head coach André Tourigny addressed his team’s depth, with six different players finding the back of the net on Thursday night.  “It’s really important. The way we played that game was shift after shift. Everybody was connected; everybody was engaged. They were resilient. When (Minnesota) pushed, I never felt we were shaky in any shape or form.” When asked about playing with a multi-goal lead in the final period, Tourigny said, “It’s weird. I think we were consistent in the way we played. When we went up 3-1, 4-1, we did not change. We did not start to play differently or start to peel back. We stayed engaged and we stayed in the moment. We just kept going.”

Utah, which finds itself just 2 points out of a Wild Card spot, has a chance to complete a perfect homestand on Saturday night when they host the New Jersey Devils.