In this opening month where nothing has come easy for the Minnesota Wild, an early lead Thursday slipped away, and the hole they have dug in October got just a little deeper.

Versus a better-than-expected Pittsburgh team loaded with weapons, the Wild managed just one goal and saw the Penguins take over the game in the third period. Pittsburgh’s 4-1 win was the fifth consecutive loss for a Wild team that last won on Oct. 20 versus the Rangers.

As the Penguins’ scorers came at him in waves, Minnesota goalie Filip Gustavsson made 29 saves in the loss.

Kirill Kaprizov scored a rare early goal for the Wild, but their previously potent power play provided no relief as they went 0 for 4 with the man advantage and fell to 3-6-3 to close out October.

With the game tied 1-1 in the third, Pittsbu

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