The Minnesota Wild improved to 3-0-2 on Saturday following a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, making unique NHL history in the process.
According to NHL public relations, the Wild are only the fifth team in league history to never trail in regulation through the first five games of a season. Minnesota joins the 2015-16 Montreal Canadiens, 1990-91 Boston Bruins, 1969-79 Bruins and 1930-31 Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Wild haven’t played from behind for the first 300 minutes of the season. Per Michael Russo of The Athletic, it’s the fourth-longest streak in NHL history, trailing only the 69-70 Bruins (457 minutes, 21 seconds), 2015-16 Canadiens (324 minutes, 47 seconds) and 1990-91 Bruins (301 minutes, 41 seconds)
Despite never playing from behind, the Wild’s victory on Saturday was only their third of the year. Meanwhile, technically undefeated in regulation, they also have two losses, falling to the Seattle Kraken in a shootout (5-4) and to the Winnipeg Jets in overtime (2-1).
The Wild missed out on the postseason in 2023-24 for only the second time since 2013, but their unusual start could be a good omen. The previous four clubs to either play from ahead or tied through each of their first five games all qualified for the playoffs, with the 1969-70 Bruins going on to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup.
It’s already been quite an eventful season for the Wild as far as the record books are concerned. On Oct. 15, Filip Gustavsson became only the 15th goaltender in NHL history to record a goal and the first in the franchise’s history.
The 2024-25 season is still in its infancy, but it’s shaping up to be a wild one for Minnesota.
