Mn Wild surge continues — Boldy's 4 points and Gustavsson's 44 saves power Minnesota to 5-2 win in Denver

The immediate impact fell on teammates and standings: the mn wild left Ball Arena with a 5-2 road win that stretched their streak to six games and sharpened several midseason storylines. Matt Boldy produced two goals and two assists, while Filip Gustavsson delivered 44 saves even as he became ill late in the contest. The result ripples through Minnesota's momentum, goaltending narrative and the Central Division chase.

Who felt the shift — players, special teams and the bench

Here’s the part that matters: Minnesota’s special teams and goaltending created the decisive lift. Joel Eriksson Ek scored two power-play goals, and the Wild converted an extended advantage after Colorado’s penalties opened a 5-on-3 window. That sequence, plus Boldy’s multi-point night and Gustavsson’s 44 saves, changed the game balance and handed the Avalanche a rare defensive test.

Game details and key moments from Ball Arena (Denver)

The Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 at Ball Arena on Thursday. Eriksson Ek opened the scoring at 7: 48 of the second period by snapping home a rebound from Boldy’s initial shot off Mackenzie Blackwood’s right pad. Martin Necas tied it at 13: 30 with a wrist shot that went top shelf short side off Nathan MacKinnon’s drop pass. Late in the second, Colorado’s penalties created an extended 5-on-3; the Wild enjoyed 1: 54 of two-man advantage after a delay of game was added, and Eriksson Ek finished a sequence that gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead. Matt Boldy added two empty-net goals, one of which came shorthanded, and Mats Zuccarello also scored.

Mn Wild individual lines and situational stats

Matt Boldy, a U. S. Olympian, had two goals and two assists and extended his points streak to seven games. Joel Eriksson Ek scored two power-play goals, giving him six goals in Minnesota’s past seven games and 26 points over his past 24. Quinn Hughes recorded an assist that extended his point and assist streaks to 11 games and logged his team-leading 53rd assist of the season. Kirill Kaprizov added two assists. Filip Gustavsson made 44 saves and, despite becoming ill late, stood tall through the bulk of the game; he was replaced at 18: 56 of the third period by Jesper Wallstedt, who allowed one goal on two shots in 1: 04 of relief. Mackenzie Blackwood made 31 saves for Colorado. Martin Necas scored twice and Nathan MacKinnon had two assists for the Avalanche.

Records, trends and immediate standings context

The Wild (35-14-10) are 7-0-1 in their past eight and 9-1-1 in their last 11 stretches noted elsewhere in the coverage; they are also 33-0-8 when allowing three or fewer goals in regulation. Gustavsson improved to 17-2-4 in his past 23 games. The Avalanche sit at (38-10-9) and had won three of four coming in, including a 4-2 victory in Utah the night before. Colorado is 5-6-2 in its past 13 after opening the season 33-4-7. The Wild are five points back of Colorado for first place in the Central Division, with the Avalanche holding two games in hand; the two teams are scheduled to play again in Denver next weekend. Colorado is set to host Chicago on Saturday night.

• Gustavsson: 44 saves; left late due to illness and was replaced at 18: 56 of the third by Jesper Wallstedt (1: 04, one goal on two shots).
• Boldy: 2 goals, 2 assists; extended points streak to seven games; scored two empty-netters (one shorthanded).
• Eriksson Ek: 2 power-play goals; scored at 7: 48 of the second and converted on the second special-teams sequence.
• Avalanche contributors: Martin Necas had two goals; Nathan MacKinnon had two assists; Mackenzie Blackwood made 31 saves.

What's easy to miss is how much the penalty sequence tilted the middle stanza: Colorado took six penalties in the game, and taking so many opened the door for Minnesota’s power play to be a decisive factor. Colorado’s coach noted six penalties was too many; the penalty kill held in spots but the discipline cost them opportunities.

Key takeaways:

• Special teams swung the game — an extended 5-on-3 and two Eriksson Ek power-play goals created separation.
• Gustavsson’s 44-save performance, even while sick late, reinforced his role in Minnesota’s recent run.
• Boldy’s four-point night continues his scoring surge and lengthens a personal streak.
• The Avalanche remain in strong position in the division but penalties and recent form (5-6-2 in their past 13) raise questions.

The real question now is how both teams respond: Minnesota aims to keep collective momentum and special-teams success together; Colorado must tighten discipline and regain consistency before the next matchup in Denver. A timeout call and a long top-unit shift (48 seconds before the timeout) were among the small strategic touches that influenced the decisive sequence — details that may matter in the rematch.

Writer’s aside: The combination of a hot skater night from Boldy and a goaltender standing tall despite illness is the kind of mixed storyline that can define a stretch run; it’s notable and not entirely common to see both elements align in a single game.