Wild vs. Canadiens: Not all has been bad in Minnesota’s start to the season

Matt Dumba, right, is part of a Minnesota Wild defense that has struggled at the start of the season. Minnesota heads into Montreal on Tuesday nightl.(Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Dumba, right, is part of a Minnesota Wild defense that has struggled at the start of the season. Minnesota heads into Montreal on Tuesday nightl.(Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
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Minnesota Wild second-year forward Matt Boldy, right, is tied for first on the team in a plus/minus rating so far this season with a +2. (Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports)
Minnesota Wild second-year forward Matt Boldy, right, is tied for first on the team in a plus/minus rating so far this season with a +2. (Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports)

The play of the second-year forward’s has been a source of optimism so far.

The Boston College product has six points to rank third for the Wild behind Mats Zuccarello (10) and Kirill Kaprizov (8). And he is tied with Jake Middleton for a team-high mark in plus/minus ratings at +2.

Boldy had an assist against Colorado last week for his 44th point in 50 career NHL games (17 goals, 24 assists). According to NHL Stats, only two active U.S.-born players recorded more points through 50 career games: Brock Boeser (26-19=45) and Patrick Kane (12-33=45).

Two of his three goals came in the season opener against the New York Rangers.

Boldy also is seventh on the roster with an average of 19 minutes, 25 seconds of ice time through five games, or just under an four minutes a contest more than what he averaged last year.