Wild’s Thrilling Comeback: A Much-Needed Distraction for Minnesota
After a week of brutal cold and political unrest in Minnesota, the hometown hockey team offered a needed distraction on Tuesday night. The Minnesota Wild faced off against the Chicago Blackhawks, and the game proved to be an exciting and much-needed escape for fans. In the end, Kirill Kaprizov scored in a shootout, as the Wild rallied from a three-goal deficit in the third period to shock the Chicago Blackhawks with a 4-3 win.
Trailing from virtually the opening faceoff, the Wild got third period goals from Yakov Trenin, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Jared Spurgeon to get the game to overtime. The team’s determination and perseverance were on full display as they battled back from a seemingly insurmountable lead. Jesper Wallstedt, the Wild’s goaltender, overcame a challenging start, finishing with 29 saves – five of them in overtime – to get the unlikely win. He foiled all three Chicago chances in the shootout, showcasing his exceptional skills and composure under pressure.
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier (46) and Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
A Game of Ups and Downs
Wild coach John Hynes praised his team’s response to the challenging start, saying, “We did not have a good start to the game, but it wasn’t like we just faded into the night. We held serve. Wally made some big saves for us. I liked his composure and battle level throughout the game, as it went on. And I particularly liked our team’s response, that we dug in when it wasn’t an easy night.” With fans howling over a missed high sticking call at center ice, and Wallstedt headed to the bench for an extra attacker, Spurgeon poked in the rebound of an Eriksson Ek shot as Minnesota went beyond regulation for the eighth time in the past 14 games.
Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) defends against a shot attempt by Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) during a shootout of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
A Turning Point
Wallstedt, making his 22nd start of the season, was busy early, facing four shots in less than 80 seconds from the opening faceoff. Chicago pounced to take the lead when Wallstedt stopped a long-range shot but could not find the puck. It slipped loose from under his leg pad and was swatted into the net. Despite the challenging start, Wallstedt remained focused, and his team eventually rallied behind him. “I should make that save nine out of 10 times, but I didn’t,” Wallstedt said, after improving to 13-5-4 as a starter. “That happens, and then you’ve just got to move on from it. But it felt at the time that was like, OK, now we’re in one here.”
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43), front, skates with the puck as Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98), back, follows during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The Wild made it a one-goal game early in the third when Eriksson Ek cleaned up the rebound of a Quinn Hughes shot after Chicago goalie Spencer Knight made the initial save. It was the second goal in as many games for Eriksson Ek, who has been an offensive catalyst since returning from a six-game injury absence. “Not the best start. I don’t think it felt as bad as three-nothing, whatever, but it’s not good enough, clearly,” said Wild forward Marcus Johansson. “We battled through it, we stuck together and it paid off.”
Minnesota’s penalty killers foiled Chicago on five power plays, including a 4-on-3 advantage for the Blackhawks over the final 1:56 of the overtime. Knight had 19 saves for Chicago, which last won in Minnesota on Feb. 2, 2019. The Wild have at least a point in their past 18 consecutive games versus Chicago, going 17-0-1. That is the longest point streak versus one opponent in franchise history.
Briefly
Former Gophers standout Oliver Moore, who is a rookie center for the Blackhawks, was playing his first NHL game in his home state on Tuesday. The Mounds View native said after Chicago’s morning skate that members of his family had purchased around 50 tickets for the game, with friends and former U of M teammates snapping up at least 15 more. Moore was drafted by Chicago in the 2023 first round and played two seasons for the Gophers.
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