Joel Eriksson Ek scored with 23.1 seconds remaining to lift the Minnesota Wild to a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Joel Eriksson Ek scored with 24 seconds remaining and the Minnesota Wild recovered to defeat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 at Grand Casino Arena on Saturday. Marcus Johansson sent a cross-ice feed to Eriksson Ek who sent a one-timer from the right circle past Leevi Merilainen.

The Wild nearly needed all 60 minutes on Saturday, but a late goal from Joel Eriksson Ek was just enough to squeak past the Senators 3-2.

Kaprizov, soon to be the league’s highest-paid player, has often been considered the Wild’s “engine” by teammates. And that’s still the case on many occasions. Kaprizov was dynamic again on Thursday, including setting up Boldy’s empty-netter. He’s a true superstar. However, it sure feels like Boldy is playing like an engine, too.

Marat Khusnutdinov is back in Minnesota for the first time since getting traded to Boston in March. The 23-year-old forward was a second-round pick for the Wild in the 2020 NHL Draft, and he played a cumulative 73 games for the team over two seasons.

Marcus Johansson scored twice, Matt Boldy had a goal and two assists, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Dallas Stars 5-2.