Winnipeg tops #mnwild 2-0 at @XcelEnergyCtr. Minnesota battles Chicago tomorrow at 7:30p tomorrow on @NBCSN. pic.twitter.com/KsSNkeSpDd
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 7, 2015
The Minnesota Wild were unable to lock up a playoff spot on Monday night, falling to the Winnipeg Jets 2-0 in their final home game of the regular season.
With the victory, the Jets pulled to within two points of Minnesota in the Western Conference playoff race.
The game had a playoff feel to it as both teams were fighting for post-season position.
Feels and looks like a playoff game at the X!! Wild win and they're in… pic.twitter.com/uOujzSdENJ
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) April 7, 2015
Winnipeg took the early lead on Blake Wheeler’s 10th goal in his last 16 games. He was assisted on the goal by Andrew Ladd, as the Jets controlled much of the play in the first period. But they led just 1-0 after the first 20 minutes.
The Wild controlled much of the play in the second period, but the Jets actually extended the lead. Drew Stafford put Winnipeg up 2-0 when he recovered a rebound and flipped it past Devan Dubnyk. That was all the scoring the Jets needed.
Dubnyk did his best to keep the Wild in the game, stopping 32 shots, but Minnesota just couldn’t take advantage of some opportunities. Jets’ goaltender Ondrej Pavalec shut the door on the Wild, also making 32 saves.
The Wild continue to lead the Jets by two points in the playoff race, but Minnesota now hits the road for the final three games of the regular season. They play on Tuesday night at Chicago.
Scoring Summary
1st period: 4:12 WPG – PPG Blake Wheeler (26) Deflected shot – Assist: Andrew Ladd (38) 1-0 WPG
2nd period: 13:10 WPG – Drew Stafford (17) Wrist shot – Assist: Wheeler (36), Mark Scheifele (33) 2-0 WPG
