Wild‑Predators Photo Moment

A photo sequence from Minnesota’s 2-1 loss in Nashville caught a second-period battle between Wild defenseman Daemon Hunt and Predators winger Reid Schaefer on April 11. (nhl.com) (idahopress.com) The game itself turned on Nashville’s first two goals: Steven Stamkos scored at 15:01 of the first period, and Matthew Wood made it 2-0 at 6:34 of the second. Michael McCarron answered for Minnesota at 6:54 of the third, but the Wild did not score again. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2) The Idaho Press gallery did not include a full recap or final score, so the image reads more clearly with the box score around it: Nashville won at Bridgestone Arena, and Justus Annunen made 21 saves while Jesper Wallstedt stopped 20 shots. (idahopress.com) (nhl.com) Hunt and Schaefer are the kind of players who often show up in these freeze-frame moments because both are still carving out National Hockey League roles. Hunt, 23, is a Minnesota defenseman claimed off waivers from Columbus on October 3, 2025, and Schaefer, 22, is a Nashville left wing and former first-round pick at No. 32 in 2022. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2) The result mattered more to Nashville than Minnesota in the standings. The Predators improved to 38-32-10 and stayed one point behind the Los Angeles Kings for the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot, while the Wild were locked into third place in the Central Division. (nhl.com) (espn.com) Minnesota also used the afternoon to manage its lineup before the playoffs. Forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello, plus defenseman Jared Spurgeon, were scratched for rest, and coach John Hynes said he still wanted to see “habits and details and style of game” sharpen before Game 1. (nhl.com) That helps explain why a single second-period check or tie-up can stand in for the night. The Wild were testing depth pieces ahead of a first-round series against Dallas, while the Predators were still playing for their season. (nhl.com) (espn.com) Minnesota’s regular season continues at St. Louis on April 13 and at home against Anaheim on April 14. Nashville has two games left to chase Los Angeles, so the photo lands as a snapshot from a game that meant something different to each bench. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2)