ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Wild acquired reinforcements for their offense on Tuesday, and later that evening the players proved why those additions make sense even while the team continues to win.
Hours after trading for forwards Marcus Johansson and Gustav Nyquist, the Wild squeaked by the Islanders, 2-1 in a shootout at Xcel Energy Center for their sixth victory in the last seven games.
This extended their point streak to a season-high seven games (6-0-1). Their last regulation loss was Feb. 15 to Colorado.
Frederick Gaudreau was the only player to capitalize in the shootout, with goaltender Filip Gustavsson blocking all three shootout attempts from New York after tallying a career-high 39 saves through regulation and overtime.
At the other end, Ilya Sorokin posted 30 saves in what turned into a goaltending showdown.
For the 19th time in 26 starts, Gustavsson limited the opponent to two goals or less and he improved to 5-0-2 over his last seven appearances despite another lean offering by the Wild's offense.
In their past 10 games, the Wild have managed more than two goals (not including the shootout) only twice. One of those efforts came Sunday when Kirill Kaprizov spearheaded a 3-2 overtime rally by recording a natural hat trick.
After Josh Bailey pounced on a loose puck in front 14:15 into the first, Ryan Reaves batted in the equalizer off a Jordan Greenway rebound with two minutes left in the period after Reaves sent a drop pass to Greenway after they entered the offensive zone.
Not only was the goal Reaves' first of the season and first with the Wild — he last scored April 27, 2022 — but Greenway's assist was his first point in 22 games. His last assist came Jan. 7 at Buffalo. Greenway has two goals and five assists in 44 contests.
Factor in Reaves' early fight with Ross Johnston, and he finished an assist shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick.
These contributions from Reaves and Greenway came just as competition for ice time is likely to intensify among Wild forwards.
The team won't immediately have Nyquist available after bringing him in from Columbus for a fifth-round draft pick because he's dealing with a shoulder injury, but Johansson could suit up as soon as Thursday at Vancouver. The Wild's road trip concludes Saturday at Calgary after the NHL trade deadline expires on Friday at 2 p.m.
Johansson, who played for the Wild during the shortened 2021 season, arrived from Washington for a 2024 third-round pick and is expected to be a middle-six forward; he can play up the middle or on the wing. He gives the Wild 14 forwards on their active roster. Sam Steel has been a healthy scratch for seven straight and eight of the last nine.
Even though the Wild have climbed into contention for first place in the Central Division, it's clear they could use a boost up front.
Both teams combined for 30 shots on net in the first, but each side cleaned up their posture in the second: The Wild outshot the Islanders just 8-6, setting up a make-or-break finish.
The Wild didn't receive a single power play, while New York blanked on its only look. That was the 27th consecutive penalty kill by the Wild over 13 games.
