Minnesota fell back on depth, defense and Filip Gustavsson’s goaltending and improved its NHL-best road record.

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

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

The Minnesota Wild took down the Toronto Maple Leafs last night, 3-1.

Wild coach John Hynes sent a message to his team after a relatively lifeless home loss last Saturday. Hynes put two of his regulars – forward Yakov Trenin and defenseman Declan Chisholm – in street clothes for a game in Chicago on Sunday.

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.

Jared Spurgeon scored what turned out to be the winning goal in the first period and the visiting Minnesota Wild went on to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Wednesday night.

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.

CHICAGO (AP) — Jared Spurgeon, Joel Eriksson Ek and Frederick ... middle in front of Gustavsson and killed it off. Wild play at Toronto on Wednesday night, and Blackhawks open a three-game ...

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

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has shared his thoughts on his low offensive production this season. Rielly has been a strong offensive defenseman in past years.

Facing another month-plus without their star forward, the Wild set the blueprint for how to win without Kaprizov.