National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 3, Phoenix 1
When: 9:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 29, 2014
Where: Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Referees: Brian Pochmara, Brad Watson
Linesmen: Steve Miller, Bryan Pancich
Attendance: 16691

Wild 3, Coyotes 1: Zach Parise scored a pair of third-period goals as visiting Minnesota rallied to maintain its hold on the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Defenseman Jared Spurgeon scored the go-ahead goal with just over seven minutes to play as the Wild won for only the fourth time in 13 games (4-5-4) to open a three-point lead over Phoenix. Former Coyote Ilya Bryzgalov turned aside 23 shots and captain Mikko Koivu notched two assists as Minnesota improved to 6-22-5 when trailing after two periods.

Mikkel Boedker scored the lone goal for the Coyotes, whose loss allowed idle Chicago to clinch a postseason berth. Thomas Greiss made 27 saves as Phoenix saw its lead over Dallas for the second wild card shaved to one point.

Defenseman Keith Yandle intercepted a pair of clearing attempts with the Coyotes on the power play to set up the opening goal 3:16 into the contest. Captain Shane Doan sent a pass from the right-wing boards that caromed off Boedker and past Bryzgalov.

Minnesota finally broke through and notched the equalizer eight minutes into the third, when Parise buried a wrist shot off a faceoff. Spurgeon put the Wild ahead with 7:03 remaining, hammering a slap shot from the right point past Greiss, before Parise scored into an empty net in the final minute.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Spurgeon has set a career high with 24 points and matched his career best with his fifth goal. ... Wild LW Dany Heatley, who hasn't scored in his last 14 games, was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career. ... The Coyotes announced starting G Mike Smith, who hurt a knee in Monday's game against the New York Rangers, will be re-evaluated in a week.
Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Phoenix
Zach Parise 2 Points Mikkel Boedker 1
Zach Parise 2 Goals Mikkel Boedker 1
Mikko Koivu 2 Assists Shane Doan 1
N/A Power Play Goals Mikkel Boedker 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Ilya Bryzgalov .958 Save Percentage Thomas Greiss .931
Ilya Bryzgalov 23 Saves Thomas Greiss 27
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Minnesota 30 3 0-1 3-4 10 21
Phoenix 24 1 1-4 1-1 24 32
Upcoming Games
  • Phoenix will play their next game at home against Winnipeg. The Coyotes have a W/L % of .432 after a win and .526 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Los Angeles. The Wild have a W/L % of .541 after a win and .474 after a loss.