Matt Boldy scored a goal and tallied two assists, and the Minnesota Wild held on for a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night in St. Paul, Minn., in the opener for both teams.
Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello also scored for Minnesota, which is hoping to bounce back after missing the playoffs last season. Marcus Johansson had two assists.
Kent Johnson notched a goal and an assist to lead Columbus. Zach Werenski also scored.
Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson turned aside 30 of 32 shots to earn the victory.
Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins made 23 saves on 26 shots.
The Wild opened the scoring with 2:09 remaining in the first period.
Boldy carried the puck near the top of the right circle as Eriksson Ek headed toward the front of the crease to screen Merzlikins. Boldy then fired a rising wrist shot above the glove of Merzlikins, who appeared to never see the puck.
The Blue Jackets pulled even at 1-1 two minutes into the second period.
Johnson collected a loose puck in the slot, turned and fired a shot past the stick side of Gustavsson. The play marked a promising start for the 21-year-old forward who scored six goals in 42 games last season.
Eriksson Ek put the Wild back on top 2-1 with 3:25 left in the second period. He punched in a one-timer off a perfect feed from teammate Marcus Johansson.
Minnesota made it 3-1 with the first power-play goal of the game midway through the third period. Zuccarello scored on a one-timer from the right circle.
Werenski pulled the Blue Jackets within 3-2 on a power-play goal with 2:54 remaining. He blasted a one-timer from the top of the right circle.
Before the game started, the Wild paid tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were killed by an alleged drunk driver in August while they were on a bike ride in New Jersey. Fans stood for a 13-second moment of silence, which matched Johnny Gaudreau’s No. 13 that he wore with the Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames.
–Field Level Media