Finding the Good in Game 25 against the Sabres

Find the Good Brand is here for you through the bad days, the breakups, the ups and downs, and whatever else stands between you and a smile on your face.

Use code CONNORC10 at checkout for 10% off your order using the link below

Find The Good Brand

The Wild came into this game on a 7 game winning streak and a 8-0-1 record in their last 10 games (NHL.com). Meanwhile the Sabres came into this game on a 2 game skid and a 4-6 record in their last 10 games (NHL.com). The Wild were 2-0 in the season series against the Sabres in the 24-25 Campaign (Statmuse.com)

While watching this game Filip Gustavsson , the Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, Marcus Johansson line and the Penalty Kill stood out to me the most and here is why.

Filip Gustavsson excellent in loss

Despite the loss, Gustavsson posted 30 saves on 32 shots (NHL.com). Which is good for a .938 Save Percentage (NHL.com). It could be argued both goals allowed by Gustavsson tonight were not his fault. As the Sabres first goal came from Beck Malenstyn who got Peyton Krebs rebound. Gustavsson made the initial save and the loose puck bounced off Malenstyn and into the net. Gustavsson was lights out until 6:01 of the Third Period where Josh Doan shot the puck wide and bounced off the glass and off of Mats Zuccarello's hand and into the net. He wasn't able to get into a groove in the shootout before allowing Noah Ostlund's winning goal in the extra frame. Closing out November Gustavsson was part of a Goalie tandem with rookie Jesper Wallstedt that posted a .944 Save Percentage this month (Fanduel Sports North Network).

Boldy, Eriksson Ek, Johansson All Over the Ice

This line made me think I was watching the Post 2023 Trade Deadline version tonight. All three of Boldy, Eriksson Ek, and Johansson all posting a +1 +/- rating (NHL.com). Matt Boldy had the lone goal of the line, But also posted 4 shots including a point blank shot saved by Colton Ellis on the Power Play in the second period (NHL.com), In which Eriksson Ek was on top of and failed to get the rebound. Boldy and Eriksson Ek both forced two takeaways a piece (NHL.com). Boldy even going 50% in the Faceoff Dot and Eriksson Ek was 75% in the dot (NHL.com). Matt Boldy has now 10 goals and 16 points in his past 12 games (Michael Russo, The Athletic)

Penalty Kill Improves tonight?

The Wild improve their Penalty Kill from 24th coming into tonight to 21st (NHL.com). As they shut down the Sabres on their three Power Play attempts. In part to Filip Gustavsson staying sharp which helped the Wild tonight. And strong goalie play from both Rookie Jesper Wallstedt and Gustavsson will continue to improve the PK. Who posted a .944 Save Percentage in the month of November as stated earlier. Something which helped allow the Wild to flourish in the PK department tonight was the fact that the Sabres Power Play is 21st in the league at 16.7% (NHL.com).

The Sabres end a 2 game skid against a Wild team that played an intense playoff type battle with the Colorado Avalanche on Black Friday. A game in which the Wild ended the Avalanche's 10 Game Win Streak. The Sabres and Wild will square off next in Buffalo on January 17th once the calendar flips to 2026. Where the Wild will try to even the Season Series.

The Wild finish November with an 11-1-2 record and will begin a 4 game Road Trip to kick off December in Edmonton on Tuesday the 2nd at 8 PM (CST).