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Thursday night bore witness to another thrilling display of hockey as Matt Boldy’s decisive goal in the initial minute of the third period propelled the Minnesota Wild to a 4-2 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning, keeping their unbeaten-in-regulation streak alive. The Wild have been in top form, with their record reflecting an impressive 5-0-2.

Marc-Andre Fleury’s Stellar Saves Seal First Season Win

Marc-Andre Fleury, the man between the pipes for the Wild, staved off 23 shots, earning his first win this season and adding to his already impressive career tally that now stands at 562 victories.

Boldy’s Power-Play Goal Flips the Game in Wild’s Favor

Boldy’s power-play goal not only broke the tie but also handed the Wild a 3-2 lead. Following Boldy’s lead, Kirill Kaprizov netted two goals, the second one into a vacant net, while Joel Eriksson Ek contributed a goal as well. For Tampa Bay, Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov brought the goals in the second period.

Lightning’s Unbeaten Home Record Shattered

The defeat marked a first for the Lightning in their four home games of the season. Despite goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy’s 14 saves, it was his third consecutive loss.

Key Play: Kaprizov’s Early Lead

Kaprizov set the pace early, delivering the Wild a 1-0 lead at 6:23 of the opening period. Tampa Bay attempted a comeback with Hagel and Kucherov’s goals in the second period, spaced just 2:36 apart. Eriksson Ek, however, evened the score late in the second.

Takeaways and Key Stats

The Wild’s 391:31 streak of not trailing in regulation was snapped when Kucherov placed the Lightning ahead 2-1. This sits as the second-longest streak from the start of a season in NHL history, trailing behind the 1969-70 Boston Bruins’ 457:21 lead.

Kucherov is currently leading the NHL with eight goals, contributing points in each of the Lightning’s first seven games.

The Wild have consistently scored first in all their seven games so far, outscoring rivals 8-1 in the first period. Tampa Bay, despite having the top power play last season, failed to score any power-play goals in their four home games.

What’s Next?

The Wild will continue their seven-game trip with their next stop in Philadelphia on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Lightning will host Washington the same night.

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.