Wild Pick Up 6th Straight Win

Joel Eriksson Ek scored the go ahead goal in the third period as the Wild skated past the Blue Jackets 5-2 on Thursday night at Nationwide Arena. The game was tied 2-2 after two periods before Eriksson Ek extended his point streak to six games with his eighth goal of the season. Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy added empty netters late in regulation to seal the sixth consecutive victory and improve to 18-3-2 since November 1st. Ryan Hartman and Vladimir Tarasenko also scored for Minnesota and Jesper Wallstedt made 26 saves for the win. Wallstedt says his confidence never waned even with a loss a few starts back.

Wallstedt has won nine of his last 10 starts and continues to lead the N-H-L in goals against average, save percentage and shutouts. The Wild open up a three game homestand into the holiday break with back to back games at Grand Casino Arena this weekend. They’ll host the Oilers at 2 P-M on Saturday and the Avalanche at 5 P-M on Sunday.