Wild Clinch Playoff Spot with Dramatic OT Win Over Ducks

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in thrilling fashion Tuesday night, defeating the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime at Xcel Energy Center.

Matt Boldy scored the game-winner with just 18 seconds left in OT, capping a wild finish that began when Joel Eriksson Ek tied the game 2-2 with only 22 seconds remaining in regulation. Eriksson Ek’s goal came off a rebound with goalie Filip Gustavsson pulled for the extra attacker, securing the one point Minnesota needed to clinch the first wild card in the Western Conference.

The Wild will take on the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round.

“These games aren’t easy,” Eriksson Ek said. “You have to get your points against teams playing loose, and sometimes they’ll cheat the game.”

Frederick Gaudreau set up Boldy on the rush for the overtime winner. Boldy and Marcus Johansson each finished with a goal and an assist, while Mats Zuccarello had two assists. Gustavsson made 22 saves before Marc-Andre Fleury entered in overtime, stopping all five shots he faced to earn the win in what could be his final regular-season NHL appearance.

“It took competitive stamina,” said head coach John Hynes. “Eighty-two games, 20 seconds left, and we found a way. Really proud of the group.”

Anaheim got goals from Alex Killorn and Sam Colangelo. Lukas Dostal made 37 saves in the loss, as the Ducks dropped their third straight.

“They played hard,” said Ducks coach Greg Cronin. “It’s disappointing to lose that point. That tying play should never happen with a pulled goalie. I thought we played well enough to win.”

Johansson opened the scoring at 9:47 of the first period with a smooth wrist shot after cutting inside. Killorn tied it at 13:48, finishing a backhander from the slot.

Colangelo gave Anaheim a 2-1 lead at 8:45 of the third on a 2-on-1 created by a turnover. Mason McTavish fed him for the backhand finish.

“It was a pretty even game,” said Dostal. “Could’ve gone either way. To lose like that in the final seconds of OT, it stings.”

Notes:

Fleury earned his NHL-record 71st overtime win.

Other goalies in the last decade to win after entering post-regulation: Ilya Sorokin (Jan. 25, 2025), Michal Neuvirth (Feb. 10, 2018), and Anton Forsberg (Jan. 2, 2016).

The Wild are heading to the playoffs for the 14th time in franchise history and 11th time in 13 seasons—tied for most with Washington and Tampa Bay since 2013.

Minnesota is looking for its first playoff series win since 2015.