Blake Coleman wasted no time making his mark in Minnesota colors, scoring the deciding goal in the Wild’s 3-1 opening-night victory over the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.
Coleman’s first game with the Wild included a power-play finish in the first period, and Minnesota carried that early edge through a tight, physical season opener. Nick Foligno and Kirill Kaprizov supplied the other goals, while Jesper Wallstedt turned aside 19 shots in net.
Nashville received a milestone goal from captain Roman Josi, who began his 16th season with the club by moving past David Legwand for the most seasons in Predators history. Josi’s goal briefly gave the home side life in the second period, but Juuse Saros’ 27-save night was not enough to erase Minnesota’s early cushion.
Minnesota builds the early lead
Foligno opened the scoring at 9:35 of the first. Michael McCarron’s shot produced a loose puck that Nashville forward Matthew Wood managed to slow while diving through the slot. The rebound drifted high enough for Foligno to collect it and fire a wrist shot past Saros on the glove side.
Coleman doubled the lead at 13:48 with the Wild on the power play. Bobby Brink fed him near the crease, and Coleman shifted from backhand to forehand before lifting the puck over Saros’ right pad.
The 33-year-old forward arrived in Minnesota on July 2 in a trade with the Calgary Flames that also brought defenseman Olli Maatta to the Wild. Minnesota sent three NHL draft picks and defenseman Jake Middleton the other way.
The Wild appeared to make it 3-0 late in the opening frame when Yakov Trenin banked a shot off the left post and in at 15:05. Nashville challenged the play, however, and the goal came off the board after officials ruled Ryan Hartman had interfered with Saros.
Josi got the Predators on the scoresheet at 9:23 of the second period, just three seconds after a Nashville power play had ended. Filip Forsberg worked the puck to the right circle, where Josi drove a one-timer from a sharp angle past Wallstedt’s glove.
Nashville had a chance to pull closer when Coleman broke in with Matt Boldy on a 2-on-0 at 11:33 of the second, but Saros held the Wild forward out with a pad stop.
Kaprizov gave Minnesota the breathing room it needed at 4:42 of the third. Quinn Hughes sent a shot in from the point, and Kaprizov redirected it through traffic for the 3-1 final.
For the Wild, it was an encouraging first night: a new forward scored the winner, the power play connected, and Wallstedt was steady when Nashville pressed. The Predators, meanwhile, opened with a franchise milestone for their captain but could not find the extra offense needed to climb back into the game.
