“Usually I have four goals until Christmas, so it’s better now,” said Zuccarello, who actually registered his fourth last Nov. 12.
But the early uptick is reflective of his reunion with Kaprizov, who soared to near career highs in 2023-24 alongside Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy.
Loading up their top three scorers on one line, however, wasn’t conducive to a balanced offense, so when the Wild reconvened for training camp they put the longtime linemates back together, and the results have been promising. Kaprizov and Zuccarello are clicking like they did in the past when both were at their most successful — Kaprizov has factored in all four of Zuccarello’s goals and has the primary assist on three of them — and the Wild have a bonafide second line in Boldy, Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson.
What’s more, they’re one of only two teams in NHL history to not trail in regulation through the first six games, their streak of 360 minutes the third longest by any Wild team at any point of the season.
“I wouldn’t say it’s easy, but I’d rather play with the lead than not,” Zuccarello said. “It’s been good. Everyone’s contributing, and everyone’s playing really well.”
