Filip Gustavsson stopped 30 shots, and the Minnesota Wild used a quick second-period scoring burst to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Friday night.
Minnesota, currently third in the Central Division, improved to 3-2 since the Olympic break. Vegas, meanwhile, remains second in the Pacific Division despite the loss.
The Wild took control midway through the second period by scoring three times in just over three minutes. Mats Zuccarello started the run with a wrist shot at 5:18. Zach Bogosian followed with a slap shot at 8:07, and newcomer Michael McCarron tipped in a goal just 18 seconds later to give Minnesota a commanding lead.
Vladimir Tarasenko later added a goal with 4:18 remaining in the third period, with McCarron earning an assist in his debut for the Wild.
Vegas responded in the third period with goals from Pavel Dorofeyev and Mitch Marner. Dorofeyev’s power-play goal at 2:17 — his 30th of the season — ended Gustavsson’s shutout bid. Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid finished with 20 saves.
The game also featured several new faces. Robby Fabbri and Bobby Brink made their debuts for Minnesota after recent trades, while Nick Foligno — acquired from Chicago — is expected to join his brother Marcus on the roster soon.
Vegas also had two players making their first appearances with the team. Nic Dowd, acquired from Washington earlier Friday, and Cole Smith both made their Golden Knights debuts. Meanwhile, Vegas captain Mark Stone was placed on injured reserve the day before due to an upper-body injury.
Up Next
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Wild: Travel to Colorado to face the Avalanche on Sunday.
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Golden Knights: Return home to host the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.