In Chicago, Marcus Johansson hit for a double in the third period on Monday, to erase a 2-1 deficit to the Chicago Blackhawks and help send the Wild to a 4-2 win.
The win kept the Wild two points back of the Central Division leading Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars.
Johansson scored with six minutes left in the third to tie the game, and with less than four to go for the 3-2 lead.
“I think we raised the intensity, we raised our speed — I think everything,” Johansson said. “It was not a good first two periods from us. It was very sloppy, and they were better than us. We talked about it and came out better [in the third]. It wasn’t pretty, but we got it done. Not good enough this time of year.”
Filip Gustavsson made 40 saves in the Minnesota win.
“We came out with a little more desperation, a little more jump in the third period,” Wild coach Dean Evason said. “Obviously, we didn’t like the entire 60 minutes, but the third period was real good.”
The Wild improved to 46-24-10.
Matt Boldy scored at 12:32 of the opening stanza for a 1-0 lead to the Wild.
Chicago dropped to 25-49-6.
“We were clicking well, made a few adjustments after the first period,” Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said. “The guys went out and made those adjustments and followed the game plan in the second [period]. Even the start of the third, I don’t know if the first shift of the third was great, but after that we were OK.
“But just one or two subtle things at their blue line, then the other team feels they’re gaining momentum by playing better, even though we provided that for them.”
Joey Anderson scored with less than two minutes to go in the first, 1-1.
Chicago took a 2-1 lead early in the middle frame on a marker from Anders Bjork .
It was his first goal in a year.
“That’s nice,” Bjork said. “It’s a weight off my shoulders for sure. It wasn’t the prettiest, but I’m glad one went in, and hopefully the last two games here I can show some offensive ability and contribute offensively.”
A goal by Jonathan Toews on a delayed penalty was waved off, it would have give Chicago a 3-1 lead. Review said the WIld had controlled the puck prior to the goal.
“Yeah, I think that’s what their explanation was,” Richardson said. “Guy’s falling down, and the stick touches it as he’s falling, so I don’t consider that possession, but they called it possession. Obviously, that would’ve been huge for us to be up 3-1, in control then. But we still have to keep playing and keep playing the right way.”
Gustav Nyquist hit an empty net with 61 seconds left on the game clock for the 4-2 final.
Alex Stalock made 18 saves in the loss.
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