The Minnesota Wild are in the NHL playoffs for the third consecutive season after they beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on Tuesday night in Chicago.
#mnwild clinch a playoff berth for a third consecutive season. Jason Zucker game-winning goal in 1st game since Feb. 9. 11 in row on road
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 8, 2015
For the Wild, it was their franchise record 11th straight road victory.
All three of the games’ goals were scored in the third period, as Corey Crawford and Devan Dubnyk battled in net through the first two periods.
Finally the Wild put something together in the third, as Mikael Granlund put Minnesota on the scoreboard with his eighth goal of the season. He was assisted by Zach Parise and Jason Pominville.
Minnesota pushed the lead to 2-0 on Jason Zucker’s 19th goal of the season. It was Zucker’s first game back in the Wild lineup after suffering a broken clavicle in January.
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Zucker scores biggest goal of the season after missing two months with broken collarbone!!!
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) April 8, 2015
The Blackhawks made it interesting late. Bryan Bickell cut the Wild’s lead to 2-1 with 1:48 to play, but the Wild held off the late pressure from Chicago to lock up their return trip to the playoffs.
Minnesota’s road trip will continue on Thursday in Nashville.
Scoring Summary
3rd period: 9:30 MIN – Mikael Granlund (8) Backhand shot – Assist: Zach Parise (29), Jason Pominville (36) 1-0 MIN
3rd period: 13:14 MIN – Jason Zucker (19) Wrist shot – Assist: Chris Stewart (21) 2-0 MIN
3rd period: 18:12 CHI – Bryan Bickell (14) Wrist shot – Assist: Patrick Sharp (27), Niklas Hjalmarsson (16) 2-1 CHI
