If you’re frantically refreshing your feed or asking your smart speaker what was the score of the Minnesota Wild game, you’re probably looking for more than just a couple of numbers separated by a hyphen. You want to know if the State of Hockey is celebrating or if it’s one of those nights where the puck just wouldn't bounce the right way at the Xcel Energy Center.
The Wild are in a fascinating spot right now.
In their most recent outing on January 13, 2026, the Minnesota Wild faced off against the Arizona Coyotes. It wasn't exactly a defensive masterclass, honestly. The final score was 5-4 in favor of the Wild, clinching a gritty victory in a game that felt like a seesaw for the better part of sixty minutes. Kirill Kaprizov continued his tear, proving why he's the highest-paid player in franchise history by netting two goals, including the game-winner mid-way through the third period.
The Flow of the Game and Why the Scoreboard Lied
Early on, it looked like a blowout. Minnesota jumped out to a 2-0 lead within the first ten minutes. It was fast. It was loud. The crowd was buzzing. But hockey is a weird game. A couple of defensive zone turnovers—the kind that make coaches lose their hair—allowed Arizona to crawl back in. By the start of the third, we were sitting at a 3-3 deadlock.
The score of the Minnesota Wild game tells you they won, but it doesn't tell you about the incredible glove save Filip Gustavsson made with three minutes left on the clock. That save was the difference between three points and a soul-crushing overtime loss.
Key Performers That Shifted the Numbers
- Kirill Kaprizov: Two goals, one assist. He was everywhere.
- Matt Boldy: He’s becoming the secondary scoring threat the Wild desperately need to take the pressure off the top line. He notched a power-play goal in the second.
- Brock Faber: Played nearly 26 minutes. His endurance is basically superhuman at this point.
Looking Back at the Week
Before the Arizona win, the Wild had a much tougher time against the Winnipeg Jets on January 11. That game ended in a 2-1 loss. It was a classic Central Division grind. Low scoring. Heavy hits. Lots of whistling from the refs. If you were looking for that score, it was a reminder that the Wild still struggle against heavy, physical teams that clog up the neutral zone.
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They also played the Colorado Avalanche last Thursday. That one? A 4-3 shootout loss.
So, if you’re tracking the recent trend, the Wild are 1-1-1 in their last three. They are picking up points, which is crucial for the playoff race, but they aren't exactly dominant. They are "finding a way," which is a phrase hockey players love to use when they know they played a bit sloppy but still got the job done.
What This Means for the Standings
The NHL standings are a mess of "games in hand" and "loser points" right now. With the 5-4 win over the Coyotes, Minnesota maintains their wild-card positioning. They are currently sitting in the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, hovering just above the Seattle Kraken.
Every goal matters.
Actually, every goal really matters because the tiebreaker often comes down to regulation wins (RW). The Wild's inability to close out games in 60 minutes earlier in the season is starting to haunt them, which is why the regulation win against Arizona was so massive.
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Defensive Woes or Just Bad Luck?
People keep asking why the scores are so high lately. Is the goaltending regressing? Maybe a little. Gustavsson hasn't looked quite as sharp as his 2023-24 self, but the defense isn't doing him many favors. Captain Jared Spurgeon being in and out of the lineup with lingering injuries has forced younger guys into roles they might not be ready for yet.
It's a "bend but don't break" system that feels like it's bending a lot more than Wild fans would like.
Understanding the Scoring Trends in the State of Hockey
When you look at what was the score of the Minnesota Wild game over the course of the 2025-2026 season so far, you notice a pattern. They score a lot. They give up a lot.
They’ve moved away from the "Grit First" identity of the early 2010s. They are now a skill team. When Kaprizov and Zuccarello are clicking, they can put up five goals on anyone. But when the power play goes cold—which it has for stretches this month—the scoreline starts looking pretty grim.
The power play is currently clicking at about 21%, which is decent but not elite. To be a true contender, that number probably needs to jump to 24% to compensate for the defensive lapses.
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Actionable Steps for Wild Fans
If you're trying to stay on top of the scores and the nuances of the game without having to search every five minutes, there are a few things you should do right now to get better context.
1. Track the "Expected Goals" (xG) Metric
Don't just look at the final score. Check sites like Natural Stat Trick or MoneyPuck after the game. Sometimes the Wild lose 3-1 but actually outplayed the opponent significantly. Understanding xG helps you realize if the team is actually playing poorly or just ran into a hot goalie.
2. Watch the Injury Report Closely
The score of the next game depends heavily on the health of the blue line. If Jonas Brodin is out, the Wild's goals-against average usually spikes by nearly a full goal per game. He’s that important.
3. Sync Your Calendar
The Wild have a heavy home stand coming up. Usually, their scoring output increases by about 15% at the Xcel Energy Center compared to road games. Knowing the schedule helps manage your expectations for the upcoming box scores.
4. Follow Local Beat Writers
For the "why" behind the score, follow Michael Russo or Joe Smith. They get the locker room quotes that explain why a certain line was benched or why the goalie was pulled.
The score is just the beginning of the story. Whether it's a 5-4 thriller or a 1-0 snoozefest, the Minnesota Wild are currently in the thick of the most competitive playoff race in years. Every point is a lifeline. Every loss is a step toward a long summer. Keep an eye on the goal differential—it’s going to be the deciding factor come April.