Nov 14, 2024 - Sports

Why the Minnesota Wild are off to a hot start

Kyle Stokes

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A hockey player in a green jersey scores a goal as a goaltender in a white jersey sprawls in front trying to make a save. The puck is visible in the twine of the net. — Matt Boldy scores the game winning goal in overtime against Anthony Stolarz #41 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on Nov. 3 in Saint Paul. Photo: Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images

The Minnesota Wild are off to their hottest start in nine years.

The big picture: One month into the season, the Wild are one of the NHL's most-improved teams at 10-2-3.

Only the division rival Winnipeg Jets have made a bigger leap. They've won a league record 15 out of their first 16 games.

Zoom in: There are three key reasons why the Wild are flying out of the gate.

⭐️ Kirill Kaprizov: The most prolific scorer in franchise history is perceived as a slow starter — but not this year. The only thing off to a better start than his scoring (28 points) are the betting odds on Kaprizov's MVP chances.

🏒 Matt Boldy: He's turning into a star in his own right, with as many goals as Kaprizov (9) so far, including a game-winner against Toronto and a clutch tally against Chicago that sent the game to OT.

🚌 Goaltending: Filip Gustavsson has bounced back this year, with a goals against average in the league's Top 5 (and a goal of his own to boot).

What's next: Montreal is in town tonight — and the Wild have a key test Saturday against Dallas.

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Why the Minnesota Wild are off to a hot start

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