The Minnesota Wild are playing for their playoff lives and gave themselves a three-point clearance over their rivals for third place in the Central Division Friday night with a 4-2 win over the Golden Knights in Vegas.
Las Vegas native, Jason Zucker, scored once and had two points in the win.
“It was cool to be here, and on top of that, having my family and friends here, my wife 
and kids,” Zucker said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Alex Stalock made 26 saves in picking up the win.
Zucker, Charlie Coyle, Matt Dumba scored for the Wild who had a 3-0 lead before needing to hold off the Knights late.
“It was crazy. It was loud, and it was crazy especially when they scored those two goals,” Zucker said. “[The fans] got really into it. It was a fun game.”
The Wild improved to 40-24-7.
“I think we’re trying to play a stingy game. We’re trying to not let them skate. They’re a fast team. They move pucks well, and they can make plays. If you can take away their legs and don’t let them skate, it’s going to be hard for them to make plays,” Zucker said after the game.
Zach Parise added an empty netter for the insurance.
“That was fun. First year ever here for Vegas, and [Zucker’s] from here, we wanted to get him one,” Eric Staal said. “For him to get the first one, to get us on the board, you can’t ask for anything better than that.”
Erik Haula, and Ryan Carpenter scored for the Knights as they tried to rally to avoid their fourth straight home loss.
“We’ve got to figure it out quick here,” Haula said. “We had a good meeting with the guys after the game. We’ve got to realize we only have a couple handfuls of games left. We’ve got to start peaking.”
[WATCH:Â All Wild vs. Golden Knights highlights]
Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves in taking the lo9ss.
“It’s tough to figure out,” Fleury said of the home skid. “We’ve had such great success here all year long. Now, it’s been a few weeks that we’re struggling here. On the road, I think we played the right way, a little more patient, and simple, I’d say. So, I think we need to get back to that.”
Vegas dropped to 45-21-5 with the loss.
“We need everyone to step up and be that kind of leader for the team. We don’t just have one, we have a bunch. Right now, we need everybody. It’s tough times, and we’ve got to end it quick here,” Haula said.
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