The Minnesota Wild (22-10-6) matched a franchise record despite a 3-2 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators (16-16-4) in their last game before the Christmas break in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Wild opened the scoring but conceded two power-play goals before Joel Eriksson Ek evened the game, sending it to overtime. After a missed Wild shot, Nashville’s Eric Haula assisted Steven Stamkos for the winning overtime goal, marking Stamkos’ 17th career overtime winner and tying him for seventh in NHL history.
This loss gave Minnesota 50 points on the season, joining the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche as the only teams with that many points. Notably, the Avalanche recorded the second-lowest 60-point season in NHL history. For the first time, the Wild entered the holiday break with 50 points, highlighting their strong recent form. Since November 1, the Wild have gone 19-4-3, collecting 41 points—the NHL’s third-best total behind the Stars and Avalanche.
Filip Gustafsson expressed optimism after the game, emphasizing the importance of continuing wins post-break. Meanwhile, the Wild’s star defenseman is gaining attention in a new NHL ad for showcasing the irreplaceable human instincts in hockey. The team has also made strategic moves by acquiring players like Zeb Bouium, Marco Rossi, and Quinn Hughes, building a resilient lineup ready for challenges ahead.
Fan Take: This milestone signals the Wild’s emergence as a serious contender in the NHL, exciting hockey fans with their potential to make a deep playoff run. Their blend of rising talent and strategic acquisitions could influence how teams build and adapt for the evolving demands of the league.
