News - Foligno's hat trick secures Wild's victory over the Maple Leafs

In a thrilling road game, Marcus Foligno shone brightly, achieving his first career hat trick as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3. This was a game marked not only by Foligno's historic performance but also the remarkable teamwork displayed by the Wild. Foligno, a seasoned professional with 915 career games under his belt, finally captured his elusive hat trick. His third goal was the nail in the coffin for the Leafs, an expertly timed empty-netter that dashed Toronto's hopes of a comeback after they had narrowed the gap in the final period. The Wild's offense was also powered by Vladimir Tarasenko, who contributed two goals and an assist, and Ryan Hartman, who added a goal and an assist to his tally. The duo, along with key assists from Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes, and Brock Faber, kept the pressure on Toronto throughout the game. Filip Gustavsson guarded the net with skill, making 27 crucial saves, ensuring the Wild maintained their edge despite the Maple Leafs' persistent efforts. The Maple Leafs, hosting the Wild to kick off their five-game homestand, saw contributions from Auston Matthews, Nicholas Robertson, and John Tavares, but it wasn't enough to maintain their impressive seven-game home winning streak. Toronto's struggles began early, with a power-play goal from Vladimir Tarasenko at 4:45 in the first period, soon followed by Hartman's precision shot expanding the lead to 2-0. Though Tavares narrowed the gap with a power-play goal late in the first period, Foligno reopened the lead with a deflected shot early in the second. The Wild's strategic plays and defensive vigilance were apparent as Hughes set up Tarasenko for his second, a crafty play that increased the margin to 4-1. Minnesota continued to capitalize on Toronto's penalties, with Foligno netting his second goal on a power play towards the end of the second period. The Maple Leafs showed resilience, with Robertson scoring his first of the season under controversial circumstances and Matthews adding another in a one-on-one play. However, Foligno's empty-net goal sealed the victory, bringing an end to a captivating match. Overall, the Wild showcased a balanced offensive and defensive strategy, earning them a consecutive road victory and setting high expectations for the remainder of their trip. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are left to regroup and strategize for the remaining home games.