Seattle came out fast. The Kraken scored twice in the opening period to take a 2-1 lead, putting Minnesota in an early hole. What followed was a disciplined response.
The Wild shut Seattle out for the final 40 minutes, outscoring the Kraken 2-0 in the second period and 2-0 again in the third. Minnesota finished with 29 shots and a 17.2 shooting percentage — a sharp contrast to Seattle’s 7.4 percent on 27 attempts.
Matt Boldy was named the game’s first star, contributing a goal and an assist. Marcus Johansson posted two points as well, finishing with a goal and a helper while going a perfect 100 percent on his shots. Vladimir Tarasenko scored the game-winning goal — his marker the decisive blow that extended the Wild’s lead in the third — and Marcus Foligno added a goal and physical presence throughout, logging two hits and three blocked shots.
Defenseman Jonas Brodin, named the game’s third star, was steady across all situations. Minnesota won 50 percent of faceoffs and held a commanding edge in blocked shots, with 18 to Seattle’s 11.
The Kraken’s Brandon Montour scored the lone power-play goal of the night for Seattle, but Minnesota went 0-for-1 on the man advantage and held firm. Minnesota also added an empty-net goal to seal the final margin.
Next game: The Wild travel to Dallas to face the Stars on Thursday, April 9, at 8:00 p.m. CDT.
