Fast start lifts Minnesota
Nick Foligno and Blake Coleman each scored in the first period, giving the Minnesota Wild a lead they never surrendered in a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. The game was the season opener for both teams. Foligno struck from the high slot off a rebound at 9:35, and Coleman doubled the advantage with a power-play goal at 13:48. Minnesota nearly went up 3-0, but Yakov Trenin's goal at 15:05 was disallowed after Nashville successfully challenged for goaltender interference, with Ryan Hartman making contact with Juuse Saros.[S1]
Kirill Kaprizov sealed the win by tipping in Quinn Hughes' shot through traffic over Saros' stick arm at 4:42 of the third period. Jesper Wallstedt stopped 19 shots for the Wild, who are playing 21 of their first 31 games on the road this season. Minnesota lost in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs last spring in five games to Colorado. After giving coach John Hynes a contract extension last month, the Wild are targeting a third straight postseason berth.[S1]
Nashville's response and record
Roman Josi scored on a slap shot at 9:23 of the second period to pull Nashville within 2-1. Filip Forsberg assisted on the goal, matching an NHL record by recording at least a point in 11 straight season openers. Forsberg now has 15 points in 11 openers, tying the mark held by Viktor Kozlov (1997-98, 2008-09) and Vincent Lecavalier (2002-03 and 2013-14). The Predators went 0 for 4 on the power play and got 27 saves from Juuse Saros.[S1]
Nashville entered the season after an offseason of change, hiring Chris MacFarland away from Colorado to serve as general manager and president of hockey operations. The Predators have missed the playoffs in three of the past four seasons, and MacFarland made several moves in an attempt to retool the roster and avoid a rebuild. Both teams return to action on Saturday night: Minnesota hosts Boston for its home opener, while Nashville hosts Dallas.[S1]
