The Minnesota Wild won 3-2 over the Chicago Blackhawks in shootout fashion inside United Center on Thursday night in their first preseason game with a full lineup. The Wild improved to 4-1 in exhibition action with the win, which was their first game against the Blackhawks No. 1 overall pick this summer in Connor Bedard.
Marcus Foligno deflected Freddy Gaudreau's point shot past Arvid Soderblom 2:28 into the contest to start the scoring.
Foligno's brother, Nick Foligno, beat Marc-Andre Fleury (27 saves on 29 shots for a .931 save percentage) glove side from the right circle to tie the game at one apiece with 10:46 left in the first period.
Taylor Hall scored the 2-1 go-ahead goal for the Blackhawks on a breakaway after Brock Faber turned the puck over on the offensive blue line. But the Wild forced overtime when Marco Rossi — who had another good preseason showing — made a great stick lift to cause a turnover behind the net and then found Pat Maroon in front.
The Wild's lone offseason addition beat Soderblom high blocker to tie the game at two apiece with 5:58 remaining.
Mats Zuccarello secured the win with a five-hole goal on Soderblom in the shootout, the only player to find the back of the net for either team.
Kirill Kaprizov hit the post shooting second and Gaudreau fanned on the puck in his opportunity shooting third. Fleury made all three saves in the shootout on Bedard, Hall and Lukas Reichel.
Other Notes
• Jared Spurgeon logged a total of six minutes and 22 seconds of ice time on Thursday night due to an injury he sustained in the first period, which he didn't return from. "It's not positive, but we'll get a better evaluation (Friday)," head coach Dean Evason told the media following the game.
• Although the power play looked good at times, the Wild went for 0-for-6 and finished with a combined seven shots on net. That won't be good enough, especially since they had a five-on-three opportunity for a minute and 16 seconds. Matt Boldy did hit the post on the man advantage in the first period.
The Wild play next against the Dallas Stars at home on Saturday night in their preseason finale before their home opener against the Florida Panthers on Thursday, Oct. 12.
Box Score
Shots — Blackhawks (29-27)
Blocked shots — Blackhawks (18-15)
Hits — Wild (13-11)
Faceoffs — Blackhawks (52.2%, 24/46)
Wild power play — 0/6
Wild penalty kill — 4/4
Expected goals percentage at five-on-five — Wild (58.23%)
Required Reading
• 'His speed and shot are elite': Hunter Haight strives to be 'a name they need to talk about'
