The Minnesota Wild didn’t end November the way they had hoped, but the rest of the month went well. They finished the month with an 11-1-2 record, looking completely different from their 3-6-3 record in October. A full 180 games isn’t just because of one or two players, it’s because of the entire team, unless you ask Mats Zuccarello, who claims that’s what he did after returning from injury and the team started the month on a winning streak.
While their success is a team effort, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few players who stand out. Everyone knows that Kirill Kaprizov is on this list, but there are three others to watch as November’s three stars. Let’s start with the third star and see who they are.
Third Star: Marcus Johnson
If you told many Wild fans last summer that Marcus Johnson would perform like he has this season, they probably wouldn’t believe you. Last season was decent, but not great either. However, the season started strong. Just past the quarter mark, he already had 20 points, compared to 34 points in 72 games last season.
He has improved in many aspects, from playing on the first line to developing his talents on the second line. He was a strong partner to Matt Boldy and the two had great chemistry that resulted in a goal. While his career seemed to be coming to an end, he found the new edge the Wild needed and played his 1,000th game.
He has scored two game-winning goals this season, one of which was in overtime. It hasn’t been an easy season, but November is a month the Wild will want to find a way to replicate, and if Johnson can keep up his production, they will be able to do that.
Second Star: Matt Body
Many may be wondering why he isn’t the first star, but they’ll soon understand why, as this could easily be a three-way draw. Regardless, Matt Boldy has earned his spot as one of this month’s stars, as he’s the top scorer on Wild. He is tied with Kaprizov on 10 goals this month, but he has seven assists for 17 points, while Kaprizov has only five assists for 15 points.
He had progressed in every way one could wish for in the wilderness, and more. He played more aggressively and confidently and didn’t back down. Instead, he’ll squeeze through players to get the puck, he’ll win rebounds, and he’ll get the puck in front. He’s even pretty strong in power struggles and has always been at the top.
Without him, it’s safe to say the Wild wouldn’t have had such a strong month. He’s really stepped up his game and found a new level that everyone knows he’s capable of. Again, like Johnson, hopefully he can continue this game and he can help keep the Wild on a winning track.
First Star: Jesper Wohlstetter/Philip Gustafsson
While it’s supposed to be one player per star, the Wild’s goaltending was top-notch in November, but they couldn’t have done it without each other. Everyone has seen and knows what Filip Gustavsson is capable of, while Jesper Wallstedt is more unknown. Everyone expected him to step up and things looked a little shaky at first, but over the past month he’s shown it all and more.
The two of them led the Wild out of a slump and onto a winning track and even better into the playoffs. Wohlstetter has proven he is everything the Wild could hope for and more. He has completed three lockdowns this season, all three of which occurred in November. Gustafsson was eliminated twice, once in the first game of the season in October and again in November.
RELATED: Three things Minnesota wildlife can be thankful for this Thanksgiving
Having two great goalies is the best thing for a team; it’s something they both want to have problems with. The Wild need to keep the rotation going and make sure both goaltenders get playing time because they play better because of it and they push each other to get better when they’re healthy.
The Wild is having a great November, thanks in large part to these four names listed. They all found a way to step up and it worked. Hopefully December will be as strong as November and the Wild will have more names added to the stars of the month and more wins listed.
