PHILADELPHIA – The Wild were not curious one bit to see how they’d fare when they trailed for the first time this season.
“I don’t think we’re really looking to test the boundaries as far as that,” defenseman Zach Bogosian said.
But by blowing their lead on Thursday night against Tampa Bay and recovering for a 4-2 rally, the Wild validated the 19 periods they went without falling behind as more than a trend: They’re playing a style that’s clicking for them whether they’re up or down.
“That’s the way good teams win and build a culture that way and make sure things are going in the right direction,” Bogosian said.
At 5-0-2, the Wild are off to one of the best starts in the NHL.
Only they and Winnipeg have yet to lose in regulation, with the Jets a perfect 7-0 to lead the league, but the Wild are right behind them. They’ve won four in a row, and their seven-game point streak to open the season is one shy of matching the franchise record set in 2007-08 (7-0-1). The Wild can set a franchise record for the longest point streak on the road to start a season on Saturday afternoon at Philadelphia; they’re 4-0-1 as the away team.
“I just like the mindset that we’re playing with,” coach John Hynes said, “and we gotta keep going in the right direction.”
Last season, the Wild didn’t pick up their fifth victory until their 12th game on Nov. 7, but the results aren’t the only difference from a year ago.