The Minnesota Wild secured a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on January 29, 2026, showcasing their prowess in a high-stakes game. Danila Yurov and Vinnie Hinostroza ignited the scoring in the first period, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Despite a late third-period goal from Morgan Frost, the Flames couldn't overcome the Wild's early lead. Minnesota's Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov sealed the deal with crucial goals, and Filip Gustavsson's 29 saves were instrumental in the win. With a 5-1-1 record in their last seven games, the Wild are on a roll, tied with Tampa Bay for the second-most points in the NHL at 72, just behind Colorado's 79. The Flames, however, are struggling, dropping to 0-3-2 in their past five games. The game's pivotal moment came when Frost received a long outlet pass from Jonathan Huberdeau and beat Gustavsson with a low shot, narrowing the gap to a single goal. But the Wild quickly responded, with Quinn Hughes nearly restoring their two-goal lead, only to be denied by Devin Cooley. Boldy's power-play goal with 2:43 left in the game secured the win, and Kaprizov added an empty-net goal. Quinn Hughes' assist on Boldy's goal marked his seventh straight game with an assist, tying a franchise record for defensemen. Minnesota's strong start continued with just three shots in the first period, scoring on two. Yurov's backdoor goal less than three minutes into the game showcased their efficiency. Hinostroza's goal in the first period, assisted by Jake Middleton, was his first in 25 games. The Wild's dominance is further highlighted by their 22-0-3 record when leading after two periods. Looking ahead, the Flames host San Jose on Saturday, while the Wild visit Edmonton, both crucial games in their final nine before the Olympic break.
