Danila Yurov's First NHL Goal Leads Minnesota Wild to 3-1 Win Over New York Rangers

Danila Yurov scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period, and the Minnesota Wild beat the New York Rangers 2-1 on Monday night

The Minnesota Wild secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday, snapping their three-game losing streak, while the Rangers extended their home woes with a fourth straight loss. The game saw key contributions from Wild rookie Danila Yurov, defenseman Jonas Brodin, and forward Kirill Kaprizov, as the Wild overcame a strong Rangers start powered by Artemi Panarin. The match highlighted contrasting team strengths, particularly in offense and defense, and exposed New York’s struggles to score at home.

Key points:

• Danila Yurov scored his first NHL goal, which became the game-winning goal for Minnesota.
• The Wild beat the Rangers 3-1 in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd.
• Artemi Panarin ended New York's home scoring drought early in the game but could not lift the team to victory.
• Minnesota’s Filip Gustavsson made 23 saves, while Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin stopped 29 shots.
• The Rangers suffered their fourth consecutive home loss, having set the NHL record by being shut out in their first three home games of the season.

Match Overview and Pre-Game Context

On October 20, 2025, the New York Rangers (3-3-1) hosted the Minnesota Wild (2-3-1) in a pivotal NHL matchup at Madison Square Garden, broadcast live on NHL Network. The Rangers came into the game eighth in the Eastern Conference with 7 points, while the Wild were positioned 13th in the Western Conference with 5 points. Despite the Rangers’ higher standing and home-ice advantage, the game's outcome ultimately favored Minnesota.

The Rangers had been struggling offensively at home, having failed to score in their first three Madison Square Garden contests this season. Artemi Panarin, who had impressed recently with six points in seven games, including one goal and five assists, was the key offensive threat for New York. Meanwhile, Minnesota relied heavily on the emerging talents of Matthew Boldy, the league’s leader in points per game for his team, and goalie Filip Gustavsson, who was ranked 37th in save percentage at that time.

The game’s betting over/under was set at 5.5 goals with odds favoring the Under slightly, and the sportsbooks anticipated a low-scoring affair given the generally strong defense of the Rangers, ranked third in goals-against, contrasted with the struggling defense of the Wild, ranked 27th. The odds also favored the Rangers with a -1.5 puck line.

Game Progression and Key Moments

Opening and First Period

The game began with an immediate offensive display from the Rangers. Artemi Panarin broke the New York home scoring drought just 57 seconds into the match, capitalizing on a brilliant setup from Mika Zibanejad. This goal was a crucial morale boost for the Rangers, ending their streak of being shut out at home by Pittsburgh, Washington, and Edmonton in prior games.

However, despite New York’s early lead, the Wild quickly asserted dominance. Minnesota outshot the Rangers 17-6 in the first period and showcased their offensive intent and puck control with a 36-12 shot attempt advantage early on.

Jonas Brodin tied the game at 5:10, firing a wrist shot from the left circle that deflected off Rangers players and goalie Igor Shesterkin before landing in the net’s top right corner. This goal helped shift momentum firmly in Minnesota's favor.

Second Period

The second stanza was characterized by intense defensive efforts, as neither team was able to score despite each recording 11 shots. The Rangers struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure, while the Wild focused on maintaining their control and setting up scoring chances.

A notable moment was Rangers forward Noah Laba being struck in the face by a shot from Vinnie Hinostroza, causing a brief injury scare. Laba, however, bravely returned to the bench and played through the remainder of the game.

Third Period and Decisive Play

The decisive moment came in the third period at 8:16 minutes when rookie Danila Yurov capitalized on a loose puck in front of the net, scoring his first NHL goal. The goal came shortly after a key save by Shesterkin, but the goalie was left vulnerable as he lost his stick during the play, allowing Yurov to score five-hole.

This goal gave the Wild the lead they needed, and it proved to be the game-winner. Yurov expressed his elation after the match, revealing a conversation with Shesterkin’s agent the night before where he confidently promised to score on the Rangers’ goalie.

Kirill Kaprizov solidified the victory by scoring into an empty net with under two minutes left, marking his fifth goal of the season and sealing the Wild’s 3-1 win.

Player Performances

Minnesota Wild

• Danila Yurov: The rookie was the star of the night with his first NHL goal, demonstrating poise and opportunism to break through the Rangers' defense at a critical moment.
• Jonas Brodin: Providing a crucial equalizer in the first period, his defense and scoring threat proved vital to Minnesota’s success.
• Kirill Kaprizov: With a multi-point performance and an empty-net goal, Kaprizov solidified his status as a premier forward. Notably, he is the first player in Wild history to have at least 10 points in the first seven or fewer games three times.
• Filip Gustavsson: The netminder made 23 saves, helping the Wild withstand offensive pressure from the Rangers and maintaining composure throughout the game.

New York Rangers

• Artemi Panarin: He was the lone goal scorer for New York, ending the extended drought of home scoring and continuing his impressive season form with a total of six points over seven games.
• Igor Shesterkin: Despite allowing three goals, Shesterkin was solid with 29 saves. However, his loss of the stick at the key moment cost the Rangers dearly.
• Noah Laba: Despite an injury scare, Laba showed resilience returning shortly after being hit in the face.
• The Rangers overall struggled to produce offense beyond Panarin’s effort and were outplayed for the majority of the game, a fact acknowledged by coach Mike Sullivan.

Coaches' Analysis and Team Outlook

Wild head coach John Hynes stressed the importance of team structure and commitment after a film session aimed at refocusing the team. Hynes recognized that Minnesota had lost their way but showed strong resolve by adhering to their playing identity in this game.

Meanwhile, Rangers coach Mike Sullivan expressed frustration over the team’s inability to match the opponent’s urgency and physicality. He admitted the Rangers were outplayed all night despite the promising start and was left questioning how to break the ongoing home losing streak that has started their season.

The Wild, revitalized by this win, moved on to face the New Jersey Devils, while the Rangers prepared to host the San Jose Sharks, both games providing opportunities to shift momentum for their respective seasons.

Statistical and Tactical Summary

The matchup highlighted the contrasting styles and strengths of the two franchises:

• The Rangers boast one of the league's strongest defenses, ranking third in goals allowed with only 12 conceded all season.
• The Wild have the NHL's best power play with a staggering 38.46% success rate, reflecting their offensive potency.
• Minnesota averages more goals per game (2.7) than New York (2.1), but also concedes significantly more (3.7 vs. 1.7), illustrating the teams’ defensive discrepancies.
• The game’s total of four goals (3-1) fell under the bookmaker’s over/under of 5.5, consistent with pregame predictions favoring a lower-scoring contest.

Conclusion

Minnesota’s hard-earned victory over the New York Rangers featured breakthrough moments from a determined rookie and a strong team response after a losing streak. Despite New York’s early promise and home advantage, Minnesota dictated much of the play and capitalized on key opportunities.

The game underscored the Rangers’ ongoing challenges in finding offensive consistency at home and proved the Wild’s capacity to rebound with cohesion and commitment. Moving forward, both teams must address critical strategic and performance factors if they are to meet their season objectives.

This game will be remembered for the emergence of Danila Yurov and the Wild’s ability to overcome adversity, while the Rangers must seek answers to halt their home slump before it cripples their playoff aspirations.

Questions and answers

Q: Danila Yurov first NHL goal

A: Danila Yurov scored his first NHL goal during the early part of his rookie season. His inaugural goal marked a significant milestone, showcasing his potential as a promising young forward. The goal was celebrated by fans and analysts as an indicator of his ability to contribute at the highest level of hockey.

Q: Minnesota Wild vs New York Rangers result

A: The latest game between the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers ended with a competitive scoreline. The specific result depended on the date of the matchup, but both teams have shown strong performances in recent seasons. Fans often anticipate these matches due to the high skill level and intensity brought by each team.

Q: Rangers home losing streak 2025

A: As of 2025, the New York Rangers experienced a notable home losing streak during the season, which was a point of concern for the team and its supporters. The streak reflected challenges in maintaining consistent performance at Madison Square Garden. Efforts have been made by the coaching staff to address these issues and improve home game outcomes moving forward.

Q: Artemi Panarin goal highlights

A: Artemi Panarin is renowned for his skillful and creative goal-scoring ability. His goal highlights often feature exceptional stickhandling, precise shooting, and the ability to navigate through tight defenses. Fans and analysts frequently share compilations of his best goals, showcasing why he is considered one of the premier forwards in the NHL.

Q: NHL power play statistics 2025

A: NHL power play statistics in 2025 show trends in team efficiency and scoring during man-advantage situations. Teams that excel on the power play typically have high conversion rates, often above 20%, reflecting effective puck movement and shot selection. These statistics are key indicators of special teams' performance and can significantly impact a team's success throughout the season.

Key Entities

Danila Yurov: Danila Yurov is a professional ice hockey forward drafted by the Minnesota Wild. He is known for his strong offensive skills and potential as a rising star in the NHL.

Minnesota Wild: The Minnesota Wild is a National Hockey League team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They are known for developing young talent like Danila Yurov and competing in the Western Conference.

New York Rangers: The New York Rangers are an Original Six team in the National Hockey League based in New York City. They have featured prominent players such as Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin.

Artemi Panarin: Artemi Panarin is a skilled left winger currently playing for the New York Rangers. He is recognized for his offensive creativity and scoring ability at the NHL level.

Igor Shesterkin: Igor Shesterkin is a Russian goaltender who plays for the New York Rangers in the NHL. He is regarded as one of the league’s top goaltenders due to his consistent, high-level performance.

External articles

• Danila Yurov's first NHL goal a big one in Wild's 3-1 win ...
• Yurov scores 1st NHL goal, Wild defeat Rangers to end 3- ...
• Wild 3-1 Rangers (Oct 20, 2025) Game Recap

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