Wild sharp in Mats Zuccarello's season debut with 5-2 victory vs. Islanders

Sarah McLellan, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Nov 7, 2025

Published in Hockey

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The Wild finally played like they’re used to while also looking more like themselves.

Mats Zuccarello made his season debut after missing the first month hurt, and the Wild earned their most convincing victory yet by overpowering the Islanders, 5-2, Friday night at UBS Arena to split their road trip.

Zuccarello and longtime linemate Kirill Kaprizov reignited their chemistry to combine for one of their trademark plays, a give-and-go that Kaprizov buried in the third period after a no-look, between-the-legs pass to Zuccarello.

But that wasn’t the only positive for the Wild.

Danila Yurov scored in his return to the lineup, Marcus Johansson extended his career-best point streak, and Marcus Foligno assisted on Yurov’s goal for his first point.

In net, backup Jesper Wallstedt made 25 saves to improve to 2-0-2.

Not only did the Wild never trail, a newer development for them, but they grew their leads and avoided giving up goals soon after theirs — which cost them in the 4-3 loss at Carolina the previous night.

They will return to Minnesota 6-7-3 and with wins in three of their last four games.

How it happened

After killing off an early penalty, the Wild were in control.

Jonas Brodin found a net-crashing Vinnie Hinostroza for a redirect 7 minutes, 24 seconds into the first period on the Wild’s first shot. Johansson also factored into the goal to push his point streak to eight games, a span in which he’s collected 10 points. His next game will be his 1,000th in the NHL.

Then at 12:32, Yurov jabbed at the puck in front of the New York net until it finally flew by goalie David Rittich, who racked up 21 saves. Yurov was a healthy scratch for the past three games, and the goal was his second during his rookie season.

Turning point

The Islanders responded 4:38 into the second, with Emil Heineman finishing off a tic-tac-toe passing play after the Wild failed to exit the defensive zone, but the Wild reset quickly.

Brock Faber netted his second goal in as many games, catching a clear and wiring in the puck just 1:18 after New York scored. By 9:05, the Wild were ahead 4-1 after Marco Rossi, in his 200th game, capitalized on a breakaway put in motion by Kaprizov.

With 1:09 left in the second, the Islanders drained their own breakaway when Jean-Gabriel Pageau got loose.

But the Wild didn’t waver the rest of the way.

In fact, their most impressive sequence came in the third period when Zuccarello spun a backhanded pass to Kaprizov, who dropped the puck back to Zuccarello through his legs before one-timing in the return feed at 8:33. The goal was Kaprizov’s ninth and his 21st point, which are both tops on the Wild.

Key stat

The penalty kill is on a 9-for-9 run dating to the Wild’s victory last Saturday over the Canucks after going 2 for 2 vs. New York.

What it means

Even before Zuccarello and Kaprizov connected for a highlight-reel goal, Zuccarello’s addition was already a boon.

Sidelined since the start of training camp with a lower-body injury that ultimately required surgery, Zuccarello reunited with Kaprizov and Rossi to give the Wild back their top line from a season ago. But the ripple effect on the rest of the lines was the biggest boost: The Wild finally had the balance they missed when Zuccarello was on the mend.

Case in point: The Wild received goals from depth players in Hinostroza and Yurov.

The top power play, which subbed Zuccarello in for Vladimir Tarasenko, also had a fresh feel despite not taking advantage during its only try.

Ever the playmaker, Zuccarello has a knack for making those around him better, and this performance sure suited the Wild.

This effort was most reminiscent of the style that worked for them last season, with the Wild transitioning swiftly and with support and getting the opportunistic goals that keep them anchored to their structure.

Up next

Another long homestand is on deck.

A five-game set begins Sunday at Grand Casino Arena against the Flames, who are last in the NHL.