The Minnesota Wild players owe a huge debt of gratitude to goaltender Filip Gustavsson, who limited the damage with 41 saves against the Edmonton Oilers, helping his team to a 4-2 victory at Rogers Place on Friday night.
The Alberta team tried and put more pucks on net in the third period (24) than the visitors did in the entire game (19). Connor McDavid led his team with six shots without scoring.
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However, the Oilers captain bounced back with assists on the power play successes of Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman. The number 97 only scored one goal in February, but had 19 assists in his last eight games.
Matthew Boldy was the Wild's spark plug with two goals, including the game-winning goal midway through the third period. Jonas Brodin and Mats Zuccarello (empty net) also defeated Calvin Pickard.
Nice goals
In Chicago, Nikolaj Ehlers put on a show with two spectacular goals in the Winnipeg Jets' 3-2 win over the Blackhawks.
The Dane first scored with an incredibly quick wrist shot from a difficult angle. Goalkeeper Petr Mrazek still has to wonder where the puck went.
Ehlers performed even better at the beginning of the next engagement. The Jets called for a sixth fielder because a penalty had been called against the Hawks and the forward took advantage of the confusion. It covered the icy surface from end to end before darting between four red sweaters. Mrazek saw nothing but fire.
Even with Connor Bedard out for the second straight game, the Blackhawks persevered. Colin Blackwell and Tyler Johnson tied the game with 43 seconds left in regulation.
However, Kyle Connor ended the broadcasts with a goal in overtime.
An aimless eternity
In Columbus, defenseman Conor Clifton scored a rare goal to help the Buffalo Sabers beat the Blue Jackets 2-1.
The former Boston Bruins had not reached the goal in his last 71 games and had not yet opened his account with the New York State team.
With a bit of luck he managed to remedy the situation when his shot at the start of the third period was only partially stopped by goalkeeper Daniil Tarasov. It was the network that made the difference.
Dmitry Voronkov and Zemgus Girgensons shook the strings in the first third.
In front of the Sabres' cage, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen secured the victory thanks to 25 saves. Tarasov performed well in the loss, making 35 saves.