Minnesota Looks To Keep Boston Off The Scoresheet

PWHL Minnesota (4-1-1-0) heads to the Tsongas Center looking to shake off their first-ever regulation loss against PWHL Boston (3-2-0-0) as fans back home celebrate Hockey Day Minnesota.

The two teams faced off in their first PWHL game back on Jan. 3. Despite peppering Nicole Hensley with 35 shots and limiting Minnesota to just 16 of their own, Boston lost 3-2 in their home opener as Grace Zumwinkle, Taylor Heise, and Sophia Kunin's markers lifted their team to victory in a historic win for the State of Hockey.

Back-to-backs are rare in the PWHL, but being rare doesn't mean they don't exist. PWHL Ottawa was the first team to experience a back-to-back this season, playing two games in two days at home, winning against Toronto and losing 3-2 to Boston.

While Ottawa had the benefit of staying in-province for both games, Minnesota plays in Boston on Saturday, then travels to New York for a Sunday afternoon contest against Alex Carpenter and Co. The turnaround has them playing twice in under 24 hours.

Given the scarcity of back-to-backs in the PWHL schedule, Minnesota could make history by becoming the first team ever to win a back-to-back.

No team has scored fewer goals this season than Boston. Their 12 goals place them dead-last; fortunately for them, the worst goals per game in the PWHL belongs to Toronto at 1.75—Boston is second last with 2.4. In fairness, the four PWHL teams above them are within four decimal points of 2.4. Still, it is shocking Boston's star-studded roster has been struggling to score consistently.

Most notably, Sophie Jaques and Hilary Knight are two of five Boston skaters without a point through five games this season. There is a realistic possibility that the streak extends to six against Minnesota.

Minnesota has given up the fewest goals in the PWHL (10), just five of which were at five-on-five. Averaging less than one five-on-five goal against per game speaks to the defensive structure and show-stopping goaltending Minnesota's seen thus far.

Given Boston's early offensive woes, Minnesota's defensive dominance may continue at the Tsongas Center.

Alina Müller - The first-year pro has looked sensational this season. The third-overall selection in the inaugural PWHL draft is making a strong case for rookie of the year, even though The Hockey News readers have her outside the top three in a recent fan poll.

Alina Müller has been the backbone of Boston's offense through the season's first quarter. She leads her team in points by a three-point margin, has the highest points-per-game in the PWHL—1.40—and is riding a three-game point streak.

However, what is most impressive about Müller's play is that she has chipped in on 58% of Boston's goals this season. Of Boston's 12 goals, Müller's name is alongside seven of them. Her seven points—one goal and six assists—across five games puts her on pace for 34 points, and that mark seems achievable for the Swiss superstar.

Müller's name is almost guaranteed to appear on the stat sheet, so don't be surprised if she gets a point or two against Minnesota.

Sophia Kunin - Kunin is a mainstay on Minnesota's third line. The right-wing forward has been one of the most consistent players on the roster, providing energy, defense, and, occasionally, offense.

Kunin has recorded at least one shot in each of her six contests, has never had a negative plus/minus, and picked up an assist on Minnesota's lone goal in their loss to Montreal Wednesday night. Her first and only goal of the season came in Minnesota's opening game at the Tsongas Center. Look for Kunin to attempt to repeat her goal-scoring success against Boston, regardless of whether it's Aerin Frankel or Emma Söderberg tending the crease.

Minnesota looks to get back in the win column as the State of Hockey celebrates Hockey Day Minnesota on Saturday. Catch the game on Bally Sports North Extra, NESN, or Sportsnet, or stream the game on Sportsnet+ or the PWHL's YouTube channel. Puck drop is at 3:00 p.m. CST, 4:00 p.m. EST.