Image Source: NHL.com
The Bruins score told the story of a dramatic turnaround Saturday, as Boston surrendered four unanswered goals in a 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena. The Bruins grabbed an early lead, but Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes and the Wild’s special teams completely changed the game.
Bruins Score: Minnesota Delivers a Powerful Comeback
Boston opened the scoring just 1:53 into the first period. Tanner Jeannot collected the puck in the low left face-off circle and beat Minnesota goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, giving the Bruins a 1-0 advantage.
Despite the early deficit, Minnesota gradually found its rhythm. The Wild generated more sustained pressure in the second period, forced Boston into difficult decisions and took advantage of important power-play opportunities.
Kirill Kaprizov tied the game at 6:11 of the second period. The Minnesota star finished a quick passing play in front of the net, firing a one-timer from a short feed by Maxim Shabanov. The goal was Shabanov’s first NHL point with the Wild.
Kaprizov’s equalizer energized the home crowd and shifted the momentum firmly toward Minnesota. The Wild then received 1:52 of five-on-three power-play time, creating a crucial opportunity to take control.
Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes Spark Wild Surge
With only one second remaining on the second minor penalty, Quinn Hughes fired through traffic to put Minnesota ahead 2-1 at 12:28. It was Hughes’ first goal of the night, and it proved to be the eventual game-winning tally.
“Want more out of the 5-on-3, but I think we had some decent looks there,” Hughes said after the game, according to NHL.com.
The Wild finished 2-for-3 on the power play and killed all three of Boston’s opportunities. That special-teams advantage became one of the defining factors in the final Bruins score.
Jared Spurgeon added an important insurance goal 3:24 into the third period. He rushed into the offensive zone and snapped a wrist shot from the top of the right circle past Boston goaltender Michael DiPietro.
Kaprizov completed the scoring with an empty-net goal with 1:01 remaining, securing his second goal of the game and Minnesota’s 4-1 victory.
Strong Goaltending Shapes the Final Result
Jesper Wallstedt made 26 saves for the Wild, including several important stops during Boston’s third-period push. Minnesota was outshot 13-9 in the final period, but Wallstedt and the defense held firm as the Bruins tried to erase a two-goal deficit.
“I thought we still did a good job,” Wallstedt said of the closing minutes, noting that Boston was expected to make a strong push after Minnesota extended its lead.
DiPietro also performed well despite the loss. Making his third NHL start and first since January 23, 2022, the Boston goaltender stopped 26 shots. Bruins coach Marco Sturm praised his performance and said the team wished it could have rewarded him with at least one point.
“He was outstanding,” Sturm said.
Key Milestones Add Meaning to Wild Victory
Hughes assisted on Spurgeon’s goal, giving him 50 assists in his 50th game with Minnesota. That made him the fastest player in franchise history to reach the milestone.
Kaprizov also extended his goal streak against Boston to five games dating to the 2023-24 season. He now has 478 points, including 233 goals and 245 assists, in 399 NHL games. Only Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin had at least that many points before reaching their 400th game.
- Final score: Minnesota Wild 4, Boston Bruins 1
- Kaprizov: two goals
- Hughes: one goal and one assist
- Wallstedt: 26 saves
- DiPietro: 26 saves
- Power play: Wild 2-for-3, Bruins 0-for-3
The Bruins remain 2-1-0 after the defeat, while Minnesota improved to 2-0-0. Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy served the third game of his six-game suspension, leaving the Bruins without one of their leading blue-line players.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Bruins score against the Wild?
The Minnesota Wild defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday.
Who scored for the Boston Bruins?
Tanner Jeannot scored Boston’s only goal, giving the Bruins an early 1-0 lead in the first period.
Who led Minnesota in scoring?
Kirill Kaprizov scored twice, while Quinn Hughes recorded a goal and an assist. Jared Spurgeon also scored for Minnesota.
How did Michael DiPietro perform?
DiPietro made 26 saves in his first NHL start since January 23, 2022. Although Boston lost, coach Marco Sturm praised his strong performance.
