Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek scored on a strong night for the second line, Mats Zuccarello added a power-play goal and the Minnesota Wild opened the season by beating former coach Dean Evason and the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2.

Matt Boldy scored the 2024-25 season’s first goal for the Wild in the first period, and he also assisted on goals by Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello. The Wild probably won’t know they’re no longer in danger of repeating last year’s woeful start that sabotaged the season until they’ve made it out safely – or not.

Matt Boldy scored a goal and tallied two assists, and the Minnesota Wild held on for a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night in St. Paul, Minn., in the opener for both teams.