By Tony Abbott -
When Bill Guerin told the media before the start of the 2024-25 season that Matt Boldy had 50-goal, 50-assist potential, those seemed like some massive shoes to fill. For context, even Kirill Kaprizov, with as many goals as he scores, hasn't hit a 50/50 season. But through 20 games, it looked like Boldy was going to validate Guerin's call, 11 goals and 22 points, or a 45/45 pace.
Then, that pesky middle-of-the-season slump hit him. Boldy hit a 35-game dry spell, during which he put up just 7 goals and 23 points. Granted, a strong finish led him to a career-high 73 points, and an even stronger playoff performance carried optimism going forward, but it wasn't the superstar breakout many had hoped for.
So through the first 20 games of this season, when Boldy amassed 10 goals and 11 assists, that was something Wild fans had seen before. That's the first step to superstardom. The next step is keeping that momentum going.
Four games past the 20-game mark, and it seems Boldy is up to the challenge. He's been explosive in the last four contests, racking up two three-point efforts. He's been consistent, scoring a goal in three of those four games. Perhaps most importantly, he's been at his best in big moments.
His game against the Carolina Hurricanes saw him turn a penalty kill to hold a 1-0 lead into a goal, then clinch the game in the shootout. When the Wild could have dropped a game to the upstart, but inferior, Chicago Blackhawks, Boldy stood tall at the net-front and slam-dunked the tying goal in the third period. While Kaprizov's laser of an overtime winner was the headliner, there was Boldy, finding Kaprizov in a position to score.
And compared to last season's second quarter? It's not even close.
Matt Boldy Scoring, Games 20 - 41
2024-25: 3 goals, 12 points
2025-26*: 4 goals, 7 points (*four games)
Boldy doesn't even have the benefit of playing his 5-on-5 minutes with Kaprizov and Marco Rossi, as he did at the start of the season. He's not being an elite second banana, the Mikko Rantanen to Nathan MacKinnon. Boldy is functioning as the Leon Draisaitl to Kaprizov's Connor McDavid. Joel Eriksson Ek and a rejuvenated Marcus Johansson provide the defensive and puck-carrying complement to Boldy's do-it-all game. Still, Boldy has indisputably been the star of the show.
And being apart from Kaprizov hasn't derailed him from putting up big-time numbers. Boldy entered Friday's action tied for third in the NHL with 14 goals, alongside Draisaitl, Kaprizov, Brad Marchand, Jason Robertson, Bo Horvat, Cutter Gauthier, Connor Bedard, and Macklin Celebrini. With 14 additional assists through 24 games, Boldy is now on track for...
Oh, my... 47 goals and 47 assists. Three off from 50/50.
Now, Boldy has to keep up this play for the rest of the season, and slumps are going to happen, no matter how consistent he plays. But there's a difference between a minor slump and one that lasts half the season, and the encouraging thing about Boldy is that he's already pulled out of a slow stretch in a timely manner.
Boldy scored four goals in each of his first four games, and then the pucks stopped going in. He came away with one tally and five points in the next 10 games. But now, he's back and so hot right now. In his past 10 games, he's notched nine goals and a whopping 15 points, with five multi-point games during that stretch.
The Wild can't just ride Kaprizov to playoff success. Every real contender has a second star to break games for their team, to step up when the main guy is sputtering. There are 58 games left in the season, but so far Boldy's not slowing down and is making his bid to be the legitimate No. 2 his team needs.
Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form.
-
5
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.