### Minnesota Wild Triumphs in Overtime Against the Buffalo Sabres The Minnesota Wild secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on January 17, 2026, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. This win was crucial for the Wild as it ended their three-game winless streak. Mats Zuccarello emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal just 1:47 into overtime, capitalizing on a power play opportunity. His goal was assisted by Kirill Kaprizov, who had a standout performance with three assists throughout the game. The Wild's offensive effort was bolstered by contributions from Marcus Foligno, Ryan Hartman, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Quinn Hughes, each of whom scored during regulation. On the other side, the Sabres, who had been on a hot streak with only two losses in their last 18 games, saw goals from Ryan McLeod, Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn, and Alex Tuch, but ultimately fell short in the overtime period [https://kfgo.com/2026/01/17/mats-zuccarellos-overtime-goal-gives-the-wild-a-5-4-win-over-the-red-hot-sabres, https://apnews.com/article/wild-sabres-score-mats-zuccarello-2114088415d7aa714f1c860bb9aa485a]. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Elements 1. **Game Overview** - The match was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads. - The Wild's victory was essential to halt their losing streak. 2. **Key Players** - **Mats Zuccarello**: Scored the overtime winner and was pivotal in the power play. - **Kirill Kaprizov**: Provided three assists, showcasing his playmaking ability. - **Filip Gustavsson**: Made 20 saves, contributing to the Wild's defensive efforts. 3. **Scoring Summary** - The Wild scored five goals, with contributions from multiple players. - The Sabres managed four goals, demonstrating their offensive capabilities despite the loss. 4. **Impact of the Win** - This victory was significant for the Wild, as it ended a three-game winless streak. - The Sabres, despite the loss, remained competitive in the league standings. ### Supporting Data and Statistics - **Final Score**: Wild 5, Sabres 4 (OT) - **Goals Scored**: - **Wild**: Zuccarello, Foligno, Hartman, Tarasenko, Hughes - **Sabres**: McLeod, Krebs, Quinn, Tuch - **Goaltending**: - **Wild**: Filip Gustavsson - 20 saves - **Sabres**: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - 20 saves - **Power Play**: Zuccarello's winning goal was scored during a power play opportunity, highlighting the importance of special teams in the game [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/wild-snap-three-game-skid-203618847.html, https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-buffalo-sabres-game-recap-january-17-2026]. ### Conclusion: A Turning Point for the Wild In summary, the Minnesota Wild's 5-4 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres marks a pivotal moment in their season. The key takeaways from the game include: 1. **Mats Zuccarello's Heroics**: His overtime goal not only secured the win but also revitalized the team's morale. 2. **Team Contributions**: Multiple players stepped up, showcasing the Wild's depth and resilience. 3. **End of the Skid**: This win is crucial for the Wild as they look to build momentum moving forward. The combination of strategic play, effective power plays, and strong individual performances were instrumental in this hard-fought victory [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/zuccarellos-overtime-goal-lifts-wild-over-red-hot-sabres, https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/zuccarellos-overtime-goal-sends-wild-to-win-over-red-hot-sabres].