In St Paul, the Wild surrendered two goals to the Washington Capitals in the middle frame on Saturday, and rallied with two goals in regulation before getting a 3-2 win on skills.
Mats Zuccarello forced the extra ice time with the game-tying goal in the third period, and an extra attacker on the ice.
“I think everyone in there did a [heck] of a job,” Zuccarello said. “… I think whoever comes in to play steps up and does the job, and tonight was a good example of that. Like [Fiala] said before me, we’re all leaders. Everyone can be a leader in different ways.
“It’s just a good win against a really good team.”
Kaapo Kahkonen made 29 saves in the win.
Connor McMichael and Evgeny Kuznetsov were the Caps strikers in the middle frame.
“I thought we played well tonight,” Washington head coach Peter Laviolette said. “It’s disappointing on the results. You talk about the first goal and then they tie it up at the end and win in a shootout. So it leaves you with a really lousy taste in your mouth. But I thought the guys put up a pretty good effort.”
Marcus Foligno was credited with a goal for the Wild, when Carl Hagelin put the puck in his own and the Caps goalie pulled for an extra attacker on a delayed penalty.
“We needed that goal at that time, right?” Minnesota head coach Dean Evason said. “We were reeling a little bit. They were coming. We needed some kind of a break. And we were fortunate to have got it and really helped our mental psyche. … That really gave us a jump.”
Frederick Gaudreau was credited with the deciding goal in the skills competition.
“We did so many really so many really good things in this hockey game tonight starting from our goaltender,” Evason said, “and our defensive game was real good. … And then just staying together, sticking together, competing together. And just being resilient and getting the job done at the end.”
Zach Fucale made 21 saves in the Caps loss.
Fucale set an NHL record for scoreless work in the crease, he had not allowed a goal in 138:07. to start his NHL career.
“That’s incredible. I did not know that,” said Fucale, who made his second NHL start in his third game. “That’s wild, wild stuff. It’s good, quality night, but I’m mad at myself at that goal. To me, that’s tough goal to give. Just another little experience I’ve got to learn from.”
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