“We needed that to make this road trip feel good,” Johansson said.
After making four saves in overtime, Gustavsson remained airtight in the shootout, denying all three Utah attempts.
Frederick Gaudreau was stopped for the Wild before Boldy lifted in a backhander for his fifth career game-deciding shootout goal.
“I figured I have to do something. I didn’t think I played great tonight, so to be able to help out a little bit made me feel a little better,” said Boldy, who took two penalties, with the second preceding Keller’s first goal. “But just glad to get the two points.”
The Wild remained undefeated (13-0) when leading after two periods, although they took an unconventional route to keep their perfect record — and resilience — intact.
“We refuse to quit,” defenseman Jon Merrill said, “and no matter what goes in, on the penalty kill or whatever, we’re just gonna keep battling and keep playing to get wins.”