Wild 4, Kraken 1: Eriksson Ek drives statement win as Seattle’s skid hits six
Breaking: Wild drop Kraken 4-1 in Seattle
Minnesota punched first, then finished with authority. The Wild beat the Kraken 4-1 on Monday night in Seattle, powered by Joel Eriksson Ek’s three-point surge and a third-period stunner from Marcus Johansson. It was hard, fast hockey, and the Wild leaned into it. Seattle could not keep up in the moments that mattered.
This game had everything a cold December night brings. Physical checks. A tense scrum after a heavy hit. Smart plays at the net. Minnesota grabbed control late, then skated off with two more points on a split road trip.
How Minnesota seized control
The hinge point came early in the third period. Eriksson Ek slipped a low pass toward the crease. Johansson cut across the slot and twisted his blade midair. The puck kissed the toe of his stick and popped under the bar. It was acrobatic, and it broke Seattle’s push. That highlight was the dagger.
Eriksson Ek was everywhere. He scored, he made plays on the wall, and he won key draws. His line set the tone with cycles and body position. Filip Gustavsson was smooth at the other end with 23 saves. He saw pucks cleanly and swallowed rebounds.
Kirill Kaprizov and Vladimir Tarasenko sealed it late with empty netters. That is veteran polish. You protect the house, then you bury your looks.
Minnesota’s third period was simple hockey done well. Pucks deep. Bodies to the blue paint. No odd risks.
Seattle’s lone strike came on the power play. Jordan Eberle slipped to the back post and tapped home a cross-crease feed. It was textbook, but it was not enough. At five on five, the Kraken struggled to get inside ice and second chances.
Physical edge and the Zuccarello scare
The night turned tense when Mats Zuccarello took a heavy hit from Vince Dunn along the boards. The Wild bench jumped up. Players converged, words flew, and gloves half dropped. It cooled fast, but the message was clear. Minnesota would not be pushed around.
Zuccarello did not return. That cast a shadow over the win. He is a key playmaker on the top unit and a calming voice on the bench. The Wild adjusted on the fly with shuffled wings and shorter rotations. They kept their structure and managed the clock.
Zuccarello left after a heavy hit and did not return. The team will update his status Tuesday.
Seattle has leaned on rugged play to change momentum during this skid. Tonight, that edge brought whistles and opened the ice for Minnesota’s skill. The Kraken must find the line again. Hit hard, then reset. Too much emotion bleeds chances.
What Seattle must fix now
Six straight losses sting. The problems are clear, and they are fixable. It starts with the middle of the ice.
- Protect the slot and box out.
- Clean exits to avoid long shifts.
- Commit to net-front traffic at five on five.
- Settle the crease rotation and ride the hot hand.
Philipp Grubauer took the loss and battled, but he saw too many free looks in traffic. The defense pairings need tighter gaps and quicker first passes. Offensively, Seattle got the Eberle tap-in on the power play, then too little sustained pressure. They miss second efforts and screens. Rookie Berkly Catton was out again, and the forward depth felt thin.
Seattle’s skid is six games. The margin for error in the West is shrinking.
Playoff pulse and what comes next
Short term, this was a momentum win for Minnesota. The Wild are climbing back toward the bubble and look more connected under stress. Their leaders were steady. Their depth held firm. If Zuccarello misses time, Eriksson Ek’s two-way game becomes even more central, and Johansson’s touch around the net matters more.
For Seattle, this slide is no longer a blip. It is a test of identity. The recipe should be simple. Defend the house. Be first on pucks. Get to the paint. The next week can steady their season or shape it in the wrong way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score?
A: Wild 4, Kraken 1.
Q: Who starred for Minnesota?
A: Joel Eriksson Ek had a goal and two assists. Marcus Johansson scored the go-ahead beauty. Filip Gustavsson made 23 saves.
Q: What happened to Mats Zuccarello?
A: He left after a heavy hit from Vince Dunn and did not return. An update is expected Tuesday.
Q: Why are the Kraken struggling?
A: Five on five offense lacks inside chances, defensive gaps are loose, and the crease rotation needs clarity.
Q: How does this affect the playoff race?
A: Minnesota gains ground and confidence. Seattle’s six-game skid adds pressure around the wild card chase.
Conclusion
Minnesota authored a hard, clear win built on structure, star power, and timely finish. Seattle showed flashes, then faded when the game turned heavy and fast. If the Wild get clean news on Zuccarello, this night looks even bigger. If they do not, they still showed a blueprint that travels. The Kraken must answer fast, because the season is starting to keep score.
