Squaring off with nearly identical records entering Wednesday’s contest, the Toronto Maple Leafs were presented with a key opportunity to get out of a rut against a quality Minnesota Wild team, with a four-game road trip on the horizon before the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled to score goals during their recent three-game losing streak, prompting forward William Nylander to voice his frustration after Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Minnes

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost 3-1 to the Minnesota Wild and have scored only one goal in each of their last three games in losing three in a row.

Jared Spurgeon and Marat Khusnutdinov scored in the first period, Filip Gustavsson stopped 31 shots, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Wednesday night. Marcus Foligno added an empty-netter in the final minute as Minnesota won its second straight to improve to 3-5-0 in their last eight games.

Filip Gustavsson made 31 saves as the Minnesota Wild edged Toronto 3-1 on Wednesday, sending the Maple Leafs to a third straight regulation loss.

Filip Gustavsson made 31 saves as the Minnesota Wild edged Toronto 3-1 on Wednesday, sending the Maple Leafs to a third straight regulation loss.

For the third consecutive outing, all the Leafs could manage was a single goal versus their opponent, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Wild.

Every game now he gets at least one, and oftentimes more. William Nylander has become the NHL’s breakaway king. Nylander’s last three goals — Nos. 26, 27, and 28 on the year — have come ...

"I feel good despite numbers," said Rielly, who has five goals and 17 assists for 22 points in 51 contests. "It's a battle right now. Just trying to compete and play the best I can."

TORONTO -- Filip Gustavsson made 31 saves for the Minnesota Wild in a 3-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. Marat Khusnutdinov, Jared Spurgeon and Marcus Foligno scored for the Wild (30-17-4), who are 2-2-0 in their past four games.

The Minnesota Wild got off to a strong start during a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena last night. (Wednesday) Marat Khusnutdinov and Jared Spurgeon

Brothers Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes each collected a goal and an assist as the New Jersey Devils scored four times in the second period and rolled to a 5-0 rout of the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night in Newark,