PAUL - After a big first game for the Wild on Thursday, Matt Boldy is tonight's player to watch against the Seattle Kraken. Boldy, 23, recorded one goal and two assists on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and is looking to add a few more tonight.

In May, Boldy finally got to meet and spend time with his childhood hero when John Hynes, Boldy’s Minnesota Wild coach, put Boldy on Gaudreau’s line for the United States in the World Championship in Czechia. Boldy led the tournament with 14 points. Gaudreau had 11.

Joel Eriksson Ek had a feeling since last spring that his young teammate, Matt Boldy, would take a leap forward this year as an offensive playmaker. Only one game has passed, but so far Eriksson Ek's prediction is looking good.

Matt Boldy scored a goal and tallied two assists, and the Minnesota Wild held on for a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night in St. Paul, Minn., in the opener for both teams.