Wild obliterated in critical opportunity against Predators

Minnesota had consecutive power plays without a shot on goal when they were trailing 2-1.

Author:
Joe Nelson
Publish date:
Feb 29, 2024 10:51 PM EST

There's still a little more than a quarter of the regular season schedule to be played but the Minnesota Wild getting drubbed 6-1 by the Nashville Predators Thursday night was not good for business.

Minnesota entered the game with 62 points, six behind both Western Conference wild card holders Los Angeles and Nashville. The loss puts them eight points behind the Predators while the Flames and Blues, both with 63 points, are still in the fight as well.

The night started right as Connor Dewar gave the Wild a 1-0 lead 9:51 into the first period, but the situation got progressively worse from there as the Predators took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission and then tallied another goal on a power play for a 3-1 lead entering the third period.

That's when the full blown collapse happened with Nashville going up 4-1 on a goal by Roman Josi just 92 seconds into the third, followed by goals from Ryan O'Reilly and Ryan McDonagh as the Preds cruised to a sixth straight win while the Wild fell for a second consecutive game.

Filip Gustavsson, who made 41 saves in his last start against Edmonton, was awful. The 25-year-old stopped just 25 of 31 shots and allowed five even-strength goals.

Minnesota has three more games before the March 8 trade deadline and the outcomes of all three and where the Wild sit in the playoff race could be critical in determining the direction general manager Bill Guerin decides to go.

Up next: Wild at Blues, Saturday at 5 p.m. CT.