NHL

Columbus Blue Jackets at Minnesota Wild

· National Hockey League
Final
2 - 3

Wild hang on to beat Blue Jackets 3-2 in opener behind Boldy, Eriksson Ek and Gustavsson

Mats Zuccarello capitalizes on the power play

Filip Gustavsson had 30 saves for the Wild, who improved to 10-1-1 in season openers on their home ice at Xcel Energy Center. Gustavsson gave up a power-play goal by Zach Werenski with 2:54 left.

Kent Johnson had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, who played their first game under Evason. He was fired by the Wild about 10 1/2months ago after a 5-10-4 start last season. Evason went 147-77-27 over three-plus years with Minnesota.

Boldy scored in the first period on a no-look shot.

Eriksson Ek gave the Wild the lead back in the second period on a one-timer. He centered the second line between Boldy and Marcus Johansson, each of whom had two assists. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 23 shots.

Takeaways Blue Jackets: The season has a greater purpose than just playing for a new coach, given the grief still raw for former teammate and star Johnny Gaudreau. The Wild held a 13-second moment of silence for him and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau. They died in August while biking together and were struck by a suspected drunken driver.

Wild: Gustavsson had a promising start, coming off a rocky season. He'll likely be in a time share with Marc-Andre Fleury for now.

Key moment James van Riemsdyk, the 16-year veteran, had a goal in the second period erased by a Wild challenge when a replay review determined he interfered with Gustavsson.

Key stat The Blue Jackets and the Wild entered the NHL as expansion teams in 2000. Out of 46 combined seasons, they've won just five playoff series — four by the Wild. The only time Columbus advanced was in 2019.

Up next The Blue Jackets visit Colorado on Saturday. The Wild host Seattle on Saturday, before seven straight road games.

Regular Season Series

MIN leads series 1-0

Scoring Summary

Goal 1st Period 17:51 Matt Boldy Goal (1) Wrist Shot, assists: Marcus Johansson (1), Jonas Brodin (1)
Goal 2nd Period 2:00 Kent Johnson Goal (1) Wrist Shot, assists: Cole Sillinger (1), Damon Severson (1)
Goal 2nd Period 16:35 Joel Eriksson Ek Goal (1) Snap Shot, assists: Marcus Johansson (2), Matt Boldy (1)
Goal 3rd Period 9:58 Mats Zuccarello Goal (1) Snap Shot, assists: Matt Boldy (2), Kirill Kaprizov (1)
Goal 3rd Period 17:06 Zach Werenski Goal (1) Slap Shot, assists: Yegor Chinakhov (1), Kent Johnson (1)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/cbj.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCBJ https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/min.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originMIN
8 Blocked Shots 18
20 Hits 14
1 Takeaways 2
33 Shots 26
1 Power Play Goals 1
3 Power Play Opportunities 3
33.3 Power Play Percentage 33.3
0 Short Handed Goals 0
0 Shootout Goals 0
27 Faceoffs Won 32
45.8 Faceoff Win Percent 54.2
15 Giveaways 11
3 Total Penalties 3
6 Penalty Minutes 6

Game Information

Xcel Energy Center

Location: Saint Paul, MN
Attendance: 18,613 | Capacity:

2024-25 Metropolitan Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
New Jersey 14 7 30 2
Carolina 14 5 29 1
Washington 13 6 27 1
NY Rangers 12 6 25 1
NY Islanders 8 8 21 5
Columbus 9 9 20 2
Philadelphia 9 10 20 2
Pittsburgh 7 12 18 4

2024-25 Central Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
Winnipeg 17 4 34 0
Minnesota 13 3 30 4
Dallas 13 6 26 0
Colorado 12 9 24 0
Utah 8 10 19 3
St. Louis 9 12 19 1
Nashville 7 11 17 3
Chicago 7 12 16 2
Full Standings