Wild back Gustavsson with a 2nd-period burst in a 4-2 victory over the Golden Knights

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Filip Gustavsson made 30 saves and the Minnesota Wild scored three goals in a 3:07 span in the second period in a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night.

Third in the Central Division, Minnesota improved to 3-2 since the Olympic break. Vegas is second in the Pacific Division.

Mats Zuccarello opened the second-period scoring spree at 5:18 on a wrist shot. Zach Bogosian followed with a slap shot at 8:07, and newcomer Michael McCarron had a tip-in at 8:25. Vladimir Tarasenko scored with 4:18 left in the third, with McCarron assisting in his Wild debut.

Pavel Dorofeyev and Mitch Marner had third-period goals for Vegas, and Akira Schmid stopped 20 shots. Dorofeyev scored his 30th of the season, ending Gustavsson's shutout bid with a power-play goal at 2:17.

Robby Fabbri and Bobby Brink also made their Wild debuts following trades. Minnesota also acquired Nick Foligno from Chicago at the trade deadline. He'll join younger brother Marcus with the Wild.

Nic Dowd and Cole Smith made their Vegas debuts. Dowd came over Friday from Washington. The Golden Knights placed forward Mark Stone on injured reserve Thursday because of an upper-body injury.

Wild: At Colorado on Sunday.

Golden Knights: Host Edmonton on Sunday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Minnesota Wild center Michael McCarron (47) celebrates with defenseman Brock Faber (7) and center Robert Fabbri (21) after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) stops a pass attempt by the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jake Middleton, left, and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber (7) celebrates withe Minnesota Wild center Michael McCarron (47) after McCarron scored against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jake Middleton, left, and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Sophia Wilson played in her first match for the Portland Thorns on Friday night since taking maternity leave last season for the birth of her daughter.

Wilson, who won a gold medal for the United States at the Paris Olympics, came in as a substitute in the 75th minute of Portland's preseason match against Liga MX club Monterrey.

The Thorns defeated Monterrey 5-1. Wilson came close to scoring in the 86th minute, but her shot when just wide.

“I feel good. I mean, I'm obviously being very patient with myself. I think coming back from pregnancy is a very different thing than coming back from an injury and I think I’m giving myself grace because of that,” Wilson said. “But I feel really good. I’ve just been so eager to get my first game in. So I feel like I’ve checked that box. I felt good. And, obviously, I’m so glad it was here in front of our fans.”

Portland opens the National Women's Soccer League season on March 13 on the road against the Washington Spirit.

Wilson was formally removed from maternity leave and placed on the active roster on Thursday. Formerly Sophia Smith, she is married to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson. The couple welcomed daughter Gianna in September.

The 25-year-old forward was part of a trio with Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson dubbed “Triple Espresso” at the Paris Games.

Also on the 2023 Women’s World Cup squad, Wilson has played in 58 games with the national team, scoring 24 goals. She was named U.S. Soccer women’s Player of the Year in 2022 and Young Player of the Year in 2017.

In five seasons with the Thorns, Wilson has scored 44 goals across all competitions. She was named the NWSL’s MVP in 2022 after helping Portland win the championship. She won the Golden Boot in 2023, when she led the league with 11 goals.

A Colorado native, Wilson was the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NWSL draft out of Stanford, where she helped the Cardinal win the 2019 College Cup title.

Wilson exercised the player option of her contract to spend an additional club season in Portland in December.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith during an NWSL soccer match against the Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)