Wild beat Blackhawks 2-1 to clinch playoff spot

Jason Zucker, Chris Stewart, Mikko Koivu
Minnesota Wild left wing Jason Zucker (16) celebrates with teammates right wing Chris Stewart (44) and center Mikko Koivu (9) a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 7, 2015, in Chicago. The Wild won 2-1.
Kamil Krzaczynski | AP

Devan Dubnyk made 32 saves, and the Minnesota Wild clinched a playoff spot with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

Mikael Granlund and Jason Zucker scored in the third period for the Wild, who were coming off a 2-0 home loss to Winnipeg on Monday night. It was Zucker's first game since he broke his collarbone in the first period of a 5-3 victory over Vancouver on Feb. 9.

It was quite a turnaround from Minnesota's last visit to Chicago in January, when it lost 4-1 in the fifth game of a six-game slide. That losing streak dropped the Wild to 18-19-5, but they traded for Dubnyk on Jan. 14 and the veteran goaltender helped them turn their season around.

Bryan Bickell scored his 14th goal and Corey Crawford had 28 stops for the Blackhawks (48-26-6), who have lost two in a row.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.