Wild Rally Behind Mats Zuccarello's Overtime Winner in Thrilling Match Against Buffalo Sabres
In a game that could have easily gone the other way, given Minnesota's grueling schedule and depleted roster, the Wild managed to eke out a 5-4 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres. The victory marked the team's first three-game winless streak-busting effort in three games, as they snapped their losing skid behind a hat-trick of goals from Quinn Hughes, Ryan Hartman, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Marcus Foligno.
The game was a seesaw affair, with Buffalo rallying from a two-goal deficit to take the lead. However, Minnesota's penalty killers came through in the clutch, and when the Sabres were handed a hooking penalty in the final seconds of regulation, the Wild capitalized on a 4-on-3 power play in sudden death. That's where Mats Zuccarello stepped up, scoring the overtime winner to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Wild coach John Hynes credited his team for buying into the identity and playing the game that gives them their best chance to win, despite being without five veterans due to injury. "The guys did it," he said, beaming with pride. For Foligno, scoring against his hometown team was always special, especially since his father had played for the Sabres.
Foligno's family ties ran deep, as his sister works in the Sabres' marketing department and his father Mike is a Buffalo legend. The winger himself is no stranger to a good rivalry, having grown up playing hockey in western New York. When asked if scoring against his dad made it extra special, Foligno replied that "it's just one of those things that never gets old."
The game was marked by a series of physical battles, including two fights between the Wild and Sabres defenders Michael Kesselring and Quinn Hughes. However, in the end, it was Minnesota's determination and execution that paid off. The Wild pelted Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with shots, but couldn't find the back of the net until Kaprizov set up Zuccarello for the overtime winner.
Gustavsson shines between the pipes as Minnesota claims crucial win.
In a game that could have easily gone the other way, given Minnesota's grueling schedule and depleted roster, the Wild managed to eke out a 5-4 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres. The victory marked the team's first three-game winless streak-busting effort in three games, as they snapped their losing skid behind a hat-trick of goals from Quinn Hughes, Ryan Hartman, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Marcus Foligno.
The game was a seesaw affair, with Buffalo rallying from a two-goal deficit to take the lead. However, Minnesota's penalty killers came through in the clutch, and when the Sabres were handed a hooking penalty in the final seconds of regulation, the Wild capitalized on a 4-on-3 power play in sudden death. That's where Mats Zuccarello stepped up, scoring the overtime winner to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Wild coach John Hynes credited his team for buying into the identity and playing the game that gives them their best chance to win, despite being without five veterans due to injury. "The guys did it," he said, beaming with pride. For Foligno, scoring against his hometown team was always special, especially since his father had played for the Sabres.
Foligno's family ties ran deep, as his sister works in the Sabres' marketing department and his father Mike is a Buffalo legend. The winger himself is no stranger to a good rivalry, having grown up playing hockey in western New York. When asked if scoring against his dad made it extra special, Foligno replied that "it's just one of those things that never gets old."
The game was marked by a series of physical battles, including two fights between the Wild and Sabres defenders Michael Kesselring and Quinn Hughes. However, in the end, it was Minnesota's determination and execution that paid off. The Wild pelted Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with shots, but couldn't find the back of the net until Kaprizov set up Zuccarello for the overtime winner.
Gustavsson shines between the pipes as Minnesota claims crucial win.
The Sabres were so close to taking it, but Minnesota's D stepped up and closed the door in the most clutch way possible. I mean, 4-on-3 power play with seconds left on the clock? That's just pure magic 
It's awesome that Foligno got to score against his hometown team and make his dad proud 
Zuccarello's goal was a beautiful finish too - Kaprizov set him up perfectly 
The Wild are starting to find their footing with this new lineup, and it's exciting to see them win some crucial games. Let's keep the momentum going! 
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... like yeah okay Mats Zuccarello scores a game-winner in OT, but let's be real it was more luck than skill 
. The Wild barely managed to scrape together a win against a depleted Sabres roster, and it's all because they somehow made their penalty killers work 
. Seriously though, Kaprizov was the real MVP here, setting up Zuccarello for that sick OT winner 
. Gustavsson's performance was solid, but let's not put too much hype around this one win just yet 
.
Mats Zuccarello is my new BFF lol he's like a hockey god or something!!! 
He saved the day with that overtime winner, I don't even think I can handle all the feels right now 
. And can we talk about Foligno for sec? 
! You can tell those Wild players were feeling the pressure, being on a losing skid and all that, but they dug deep and found a way to pull it off in overtime 
. Can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds for these Wild players! 
Mats Zuccarello is literally the best 
. The Wild's determination and execution paid off in the end 
. Quinn Hughes got hat-tricks for goals 
, but Zuccarello's winning goal will be etched in my memory forever 
. The Wild's roster might be depleted, but they still found a way to win 
!
. and can't forget foligno's family ties, scoreing against his hometown team was always gonna be special 
. the wild needed that win so bad and i'm glad they got it, it's a huge confidence boost for the team 