Takeaways: Wild sharp in Mats Zuccarello’s season debut with 5-2 victory over Islanders

Wild Secure Convincing 5-2 Win Over Islanders in Mats Zuccarello’s Season Debut

The Minnesota Wild delivered their most dominant win of the season, boosted by the return of veteran forward Mats Zuccarello, who missed the first month due to injury. The team played with their usual intensity, showing their true form against the New York Islanders on Friday at UBS Arena.

Zuccarello’s Impact and Team Chemistry

Mats Zuccarello’s season debut energized the Wild as they overpowered the Islanders 5-2, splitting their road trip series. In a postgame interview, Zuccarello shared:

“It’s always fun to be back, especially when you win, and the whole team was playing a solid game.”

Zuccarello rekindled his on-ice connection with longtime linemate Kirill Kaprizov. The duo combined for a signature give-and-go play in the third period, culminating in Kaprizov scoring after a no-look, between-the-legs pass to Zuccarello. Coach John Hynes commented on the play:

“I knew exactly where it was going.”

Additional Highlights

Team Performance Notes

The Wild maintained the lead throughout the game—a new positive trend for the team. They increased their advantage steadily and avoided conceding goals immediately after scoring, an issue that had cost them the previous night’s 4-3 loss to Carolina.

Author’s summary: The Wild’s strong 5-2 win marked a turning point, fueled by Zuccarello’s return and key contributions from young and veteran players alike.

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Star Tribune Star Tribune — 2025-11-08

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