ST. PAUL, Minn. ― The Bruins couldn’t conjure any third-period magic Saturday night, falling, 4-1, to the Wild at Grand Casino Arena.
Unlike 24 hours earlier when Marco Sturm’s charges erased a late deficit and posted an overtime win against Winnipeg, this time the Wild offered no such opportunity.
The Bruins legs — and sticks — looked heavy as the speedy and fresh Wild were able to get to loose pucks quicker, controlling the play for most of the final 40 minutes.
Boston (2-1) took a lead less than two minutes in when Tanner Jeannot connected for his first of the season.
It was a thing of beauty.
Connor Clifton ricocheted the puck off the back boards where Mark Kastelic collected it and redirected it through his legs and the slot where Jeannot buried it.
Jesper Wallstedt would not be dented again, however, stopping 25 subsequent Boston bids.
Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes scored second-period power-play goals, Jared Spurgeon added an insurance goal in the third, and Kaprizov sealed it with an empty netter.
The loss spoiled the season debut of Bruins goalie Michael DiPietro, who made 26 saves, including several acrobatic stops that sparked memories of Tim Thomas.
The Bruins will be back in Boston to host the Senators on Monday.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him @globejimmcbride.