The Minnesota Wild defeated the Calgary Flames 3-2 at the Xcel Energy Center on Monday night.
It was the sixth straight win for the Wild at home and gives them a nine-point cushion in the playoff race, according to the Star Tribune.
The night also marked the return of Wild Captain Mikko Koivu. Until Monday, he had not played in a game since Jan. 4.
After a scoreless first period, things got moving for Minnesota when Kyle Brodziak put the Wild on the scoreboard midway through the second period with his fifth goal of the season, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead.
Brodziak with a laugh: "I finally found a way to put one in." #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 4, 2014
The Flames bounced back to even the score 1-all moments later on a goal from Mike Cammalleri.
It stayed that way into the third when Jared Spurgeon and Zach Parise pushed the Wild lead to 3-1 on back-to-back goals. For the Wild, Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund assisted on the Parise goal.
Granlund finished with two assists in the game, continuing his strong play since the Olympics.
A late goal by Mark Giordano pulled the Flames within a goal, but they could not get any closer.
The Wild get a short break until Saturday when they travel to Dallas to take on the Stars.
