ST. PAUL, Minn. — Marcus Foligno scored twice for the Minnesota Wild in a 6-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets at Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday.
“We shot a lot of pucks, we kept it simple,” Foligno said. “We went to the net. We just played our game. You’re going to see the results. It’s more goals. It’s not always pretty, but we’re going to get our points and stuff from team play.”
Matt Boldy had a goal and two assists, and Kirill Kaprizov and Calen Addison each had a goal and an assist for the Wild (9-8-2), who have won their past two games after losing three straight (0-2-1). Filip Gustavsson made 28 saves.
“The Wild scored six, right? So, that’s reinforcing for us,” Minnesota coach Dean Evason said. “Everyone’s excited about that.”
Video: WPG@MIN: Kaprizov chips a rebound home for a PPG
Kyle Connor scored, and Connor Hellebuyck made 33 saves for the Jets (11-6-1), who have lost two of their past three games.
“I’m not a believer in these ‘learned lessons,'” Winnipeg coach Rick Bowness said. “I believe there are harsh reminders of how to play this game the right way. Harsh reminders of how to win in this league.
“One of the things we talked about after the game is that these teams are chasing us now. All right, two things with that: take pride in the fact that you’re there, but also take the responsibility that comes with being on a good team. team. There’s a responsibility that comes with that, being prepared and playing the right way. None of those things we did tonight.”
Video: WPG@MIN: Foligno puts a rebound home from the circle
Mason Shaw gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead at 8:20 of the first period with a shot from the half wall that hit a Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey.
Addison scored his first goal of the season to make it 2-0 at 2:50 of the second period. His shot from inside the blue line bounced off Hellebuyck’s shoulder and over the line.
Foligno increased the lead to 3-0 at 3:58 off a rebound Matt Dumba‘s shot.
Connor cut it to 3-1 at 14:18 with a wrist shot from the right face-off dot.
“We only played 10 good minutes of the game,” Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt said. “That’s not going to do very well for you. We spent a lot of time in the penalty box; that’s also not going to do well for you. It’s not a good recipe to only play hard for 10 minutes of the game.”
Video: WPG@MIN: Shaw fires a shot that deflects into the net
Kaprizov scored on the power play 28 seconds into the third period to make it 4-1, extending his point streak to seven games (nine points; three goals, six assists).
Foligno gave the Wild a 5-1 lead at 6:51 after a turnover in the defensive zone Blake Wheeler.
Boldy scored off a cross-ice pass from Kaprizov for a power-play goal at 9:46 for the 6-1 final.
“I think it was time for us to break through,” Boldy said. “It’s obviously hard to score goals, but we’ve got to do a better job. I think tonight’s a step in the right direction for sure.”
NOTES: The Wild acquired forward Ryan Reaves from the New York Rangers before the game for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. … Morrissey assisted on Connor’s goal, making him the fastest defenseman in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history to reach 20 points in a season (three goals, 16 assists in 18 games). Dustin Byfuglien previously held the record (22 games in 2010-11 with Atlanta, 24 games in 2018-19 with Winnipeg). … Wild forward Brandon Duhaime did not play in the third because of an undisclosed injury; Evason said he will “likely not be in” the game Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Foligno left the game when his ear was cut with 1:23 remaining but is OK. … It was Boldy’s second career NHL game with at least three points; the 21-year-old forward had three goals and one assist last season in a 7-4 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Feb. 14. … Minnesota defenseman Jonas Brodin did not play due to illness.
.