Filip Gustavsson shines with 29 saves as the Minnesota Wild dominate the Calgary Flames 4-1. Discover how early goals and a historic Quinn Hughes streak fueled this massive victory in St. Paul.
The Minnesota Wild are officially playing some of their best hockey of the season. On a cold Thursday night at the Grand Casino Arena, the Wild proved why they are currently one of the most dangerous teams in the league. With a combination of lightning-fast offense and a brick-wall performance by Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota secured a commanding 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames.
Game Summary: Wild vs. Flames
| Feature | Details |
| Final Score | Minnesota Wild 4 – 1 Calgary Flames |
| Goaltender Performance | Filip Gustavsson (29 Saves on 30 Shots) |
| Key Milestones | Quinn Hughes (7-game assist streak, tied franchise record) |
| Leading Scorers | Yurov, Hinostroza, Boldy, Kaprizov |
| Recent Form | Wild are 5-1-1 in their last seven games |
| Current Standing | Tied for 2nd-most points in the NHL (72) |
The Great Wall of Gustavsson
If there was one reason the Flames couldn’t claw their way back into this game, it was the man between the pipes. Filip Gustavsson was absolutely sensational, stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced. Even when Calgary dominated possession in the second period, Filip Gustavsson remained calm, turning aside high-danger chances with ease.
His performance provided the backbone for the Wild’s victory. Whether it was stopping a late-period flurry or managing the rebound control during a Calgary power play, Filip Gustavsson ensured that the Wild’s early lead was never in serious jeopardy. This win marks another solid outing for the Swedish netminder, who has been a consistent force during Minnesota’s recent 5-1-1 run.
Racing to an Early Lead
Minnesota wasted no time getting on the board, proving once again that they are the kings of the fast start. Despite only having three shots in the entire first period, they scored on two of them. Less than three minutes into the game, Danila Yurov found the back of the net after a beautiful passing play with Vladimir Tarasenko.
Midway through the same period, Vinnie Hinostroza doubled the lead, catching a long outlet pass and scoring from the right circle. It was his first goal in 25 games, and the bench reaction showed just how much it meant to the team. This “quality over quantity” approach in the first period allowed Filip Gustavsson to settle into his rhythm with a comfortable two-goal cushion.
Quinn Hughes Ties Franchise History
While the goal scorers get the headlines, defenseman Quinn Hughes made his own mark on the history books. By assisting on Matt Boldy’s late third-period goal, Hughes extended his assist streak to seven straight games. This ties the legendary Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter for the longest assist streak by a defenseman in Wild franchise history.
Hughes has been a revelation since joining the team, acting as the primary engine for the power play. His vision helped set up Boldy for the redirection that effectively ended Calgary’s comeback hopes. While Filip Gustavsson was busy keeping the puck out of the net, Hughes was ensuring the offense remained productive from the blue line.
Protecting the Third-Period Lead
One of the most impressive stats of the night is Minnesota’s resilience when playing with a lead. The Wild are now 22-0-3 this season when leading after two periods. Even after Morgan Frost scored for Calgary early in the third to make it 2-1, the Wild didn’t panic.
Instead, the team leaned on the veteran leadership and the steady hand of Filip Gustavsson. Moments after killing off a penalty, Boldy’s power-play goal and an empty-netter from Kirill Kaprizov sealed the deal. It was a complete team effort that saw the Wild move into a tie with Tampa Bay for the second-most points in the NHL.
Conclusion: A Flagship Victory
The 4-1 win over the Flames was a perfect example of what makes this Minnesota team so special. They have the star power in Kaprizov and Hughes, but they also have the elite goaltending required to win tight games. As Filip Gustavsson continues to rack up wins and the offense continues to strike early, the Wild look like a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup in 2026. If Filip Gustavsson can maintain this level of play, the rest of the Western Conference should be very worried. For now, the Wild will take these two points and head to Edmonton with plenty of momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many saves did Filip Gustavsson make against the Flames?
Filip Gustavsson made 29 saves on 30 shots, finishing the night with a stellar .967 save percentage.
2. Who holds the record for the longest assist streak among Wild defensemen?
Quinn Hughes currently shares the record of seven games with Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter.
3. What is the Wild’s record when leading after the second period?
The Minnesota Wild are currently undefeated in regulation (22-0-3) when they have the lead heading into the final frame.
4. How many times has Minnesota scored first this season?
The Wild have scored the opening goal 33 times this season, which is the second-most in the entire NHL.
5. What is the next game for the Minnesota Wild?
After beating Calgary, the Wild travel to visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.
