canadiens vs wild Live: Early punch from Minnesota has Montreal chasing after first-period flurry in Saint Paul

A brisk, hard-skating opener has tilted toward the hosts as canadiens vs wild reaches the first intermission in Saint Paul. Minnesota struck in the opening minute and doubled the edge inside five, before Montreal halved the deficit late in the period through a classic net-front finish. Status: Live — Monday, February 2, 2026 (U.S. date). See full time-zone block below.

Score & Status — canadiens vs wild

• Status: Live (End of 1st)

• Score: Montreal Canadiens 1–2 Minnesota Wild

• Venue: Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul, MN

Kickoff (Time Zones)

• USA (ET) — Monday, Feb 2, 7:30 PM

• USA (PT) — Monday, Feb 2, 4:30 PM

• Canada (Toronto) — Monday, Feb 2, 7:30 PM

• UK (London) — Tuesday, Feb 3, 12:30 AM

Live Timeline (Key Moments)

• 0:38 — Minnesota punches first: Joel Eriksson Ek crashes the slot to stuff home the opener, Wild 1–0.

• 15:48 — Kirill Kaprizov doubles the lead with a wicked release off the rush; the winger finds the far-side corner, 2–0.

• 19:08 — Lifeline for Montreal: Brendan Gallagher parks at the crease and buries on a second effort to trim it to 2–1.

• End of 1st — Canadiens building a little zone time through the Suzuki line, but Minnesota exits cleanly enough to protect the cushion as the horn sounds.
  (We’ll continue adding key moments as the second period unfolds, with canadiens vs wild finely poised.)

Standout Performers & Turning Points

• Joel Eriksson Ek — Sets the tone with the opener inside the first minute; heavy at the dot and around the blue paint.

• Kirill Kaprizov — The game’s most dangerous transition threat so far; one touch and the pace changes.

• Brendan Gallagher — Vintage work rate to get Montreal on the board late, a galvanizing moment heading into the break.

• Goaltending snapshot — Filip Gustavsson composed after conceding late; Jakub Dobeš settled in following the rough start as Montreal tightened its gaps.

Lineups & Shape (if confirmed)

• Not yet officially confirmed in full detail for publication; both coaches rolling four lines early, with Minnesota leaning on its top six after offensive-zone draws and Montreal mixing looks to spark 5-on-5 scoring.

Match Stats (through 1st period)

What It Means — canadiens vs wild

The opening frame underscored each team’s identity: Minnesota’s quick-strike transition and net-front grind versus Montreal’s cycle and forecheck layers. The Canadiens need more controlled entries and second chances off point shots to even the shot profile; if the Wild keep winning draws and exiting cleanly, they’ll continue to dictate pace and matchups at home. Special teams could swing this—so far, no power plays either way—but any whistle that puts Kaprizov on a set play is danger. With forty minutes to go, canadiens vs wild is balanced on whether Montreal’s top line can tilt the ice back at 5-on-5 or Minnesota stretches the lead with another transition dagger.