Full Breakdown
Minnesota Wild Defeats Seattle Kraken 5-2, Solidifying Playoff Position
4/8/2026, 11:14:22 PM
Game Overview
On April 8, 2026, the Minnesota Wild secured a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. This win marked the Wild's fourth consecutive victory and solidified their position in the playoff race, as they now trail the Dallas Stars by just two points for second place in the Central Division. The game featured significant moments, including two successful video replay reviews that favored Minnesota.
Key Events and Scoring
The game began with Seattle taking an early lead when Brandon Montour scored at 10:23 of the first period. Montour's slapshot from the point deflected off a Wild defender just after a power play expired. However, Minnesota quickly responded, with Matt Boldy tying the game at 1-1 just 94 seconds later. Boldy skillfully batted the puck into the net after a rebound from a blocked shot.
Adam Larsson then restored Seattle's lead at 2-1 with a goal at 13:10 of the first period. The Wild equalized early in the second period when Marcus Foligno scored just 38 seconds in. Vladimir Tarasenko scored the go-ahead goal for Minnesota later in the second period, tapping in a loose puck after Seattle goaltender Joey Daccord lost sight of it. Marcus Johansson and Joel Eriksson Ek added goals for Minnesota, with Eriksson Ek sealing the game with an empty-net goal.
Replay Reviews Impact
Two pivotal replay reviews influenced the game's outcome. The first review confirmed Boldy's goal, initially ruled no goal due to a high stick. The second review negated a potential equalizer by Seattle's Jaden Schwartz, as it was determined that Frederick Gaudreau interfered with Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt.
Team Performance and Reactions
Minnesota's performance was characterized by strong offensive contributions, with Boldy and Johansson each recording a goal and an assist. Jesper Wallstedt made 25 saves, earning his third consecutive win. In contrast, Seattle's struggles continued, as they have now lost six straight games and 10 of their last 11, leaving them on the brink of playoff elimination.
Seattle coach Lane Lambert expressed frustration despite his team's effort, stating, “It’s another loss, and I sit here and I say, ‘I thought we played a pretty good hockey game.’” He acknowledged the team's inability to capitalize on opportunities and the impact of disallowed goals on their momentum.
Implications for the Playoff Race
With only four games remaining in the regular season, Minnesota is focused on overtaking Dallas for home-ice advantage in the playoffs. The Wild's next matchup against the Stars is crucial for both teams as they vie for playoff positioning. Meanwhile, Seattle's playoff hopes are dwindling, and they are now left to play for pride in their remaining games.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We know that they’re a really good team, and so are we. But they have some lethal weapons, and we’re just more educated, more experienced going into this series than we were before.” — Marcus Foligno, Minnesota Wild Forward
- “The disallowed goals … take momentum away from us, especially when we’re fragile,” — Lane Lambert, Seattle Kraken Coach
- “It’s coming at us in a wave, a big wave here,” — Brandon Montour, Seattle Kraken Defenseman
This game exemplifies the contrasting trajectories of the two teams as the NHL season approaches its conclusion, with Minnesota positioning itself for a playoff run while Seattle grapples with ongoing struggles.
