Playing the majority of what’s expected to be their regular lineup, the Minnesota Wild closed the preseason with a 6-1 exhibition victory Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mats Zuccarello scored a goal and two assists and Marco Rossi scored a goal and assist. Brock Faber , Kirill Kaprizov and Marcus Johansson each scored a goal and Jonas Brodin scored one of the sneakiest goals you’ll see from the red line.
Just four seconds after Rossi’s power-play goal, Brodin fake-dumped a puck and then banked a shot off an unsuspecting Petr Mrazek when the goalie left his cage to go play the puck. BRODIN WITH THE BACK TO BACK!! #mnwild pic.twitter.
com/cuTLSdRXhQ — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 5, 2024 Joel Eriksson Ek had two assists and Marc-Andre Fleury made 21 saves as the Wild finished the preseason with a 4-2 record. However, when playing a lineup that was close to what they likely will ice in Thursday’s opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets , the Wild went 3-0. In two games playing much of Chicago’s expected opening night lineup, the Wild outscored the Blackhawks 13-3.
Advertisement The only regulars to not play Friday were banged-up Matt Boldy and Jake Middleton , who are expected to be ready by opening night, and veteran defenseman Zach Bogosian . Zuccarello and Eriksson Ek finished the preseason tied for the team’s scoring lead with eight points in three games. Kaprizov led the Wild with four goals in three games and had seven p.
