Zuccarello scores the shootout winner, Gustavsson stands tall in net and Wild beat Avalanche 2-1

ST. PAUL, MN – Mats Zuccarello played hero for the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night, scoring in regulation and netting the decisive shootout goal to secure a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

Matt Boldy also found the net in the shootout for Minnesota, while goaltender Filip Gustavsson stood tall with 27 saves. On the other side, Joel Kiviranta scored the lone goal for Colorado, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 22 saves as the Avalanche saw their six-game winning streak come to an end.

Zuccarello set the tone in the shootout with an opening goal, and Gustavsson immediately followed by stopping Nathan MacKinnon. Boldy then extended the Wild’s advantage before Martin Necas lost control of the puck on Colorado’s final attempt, sealing Minnesota’s win.

The Wild struck first in the second period, taking advantage of a costly turnover by Necas. Boldy poked the puck to Marco Rossi, who quickly fed a charging Zuccarello. The veteran winger fired a wrist shot over Blackwood’s shoulder to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.

Colorado responded late in the third, with Kiviranta deflecting a long backhand shot from Samuel Girard past Gustavsson to even the score at 1-1. The Avalanche, who had scored 31 goals during their perfect 6-0-0 homestand—including a 5-2 win over Minnesota on Feb. 28—struggled offensively but managed to salvage a point on the road.

With the win, the Wild improved to 78 points, closing the gap on Colorado, which holds the Central Division’s third playoff spot.

Gustavsson made a critical save moments after Zuccarello’s goal, sliding across the crease to deny Necas on a backdoor chance. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s defense held MacKinnon, the NHL’s leading scorer, without a point for just the second time in seven games.

Up Next

The Wild will host the New York Rangers on Thursday night, while the Avalanche head to Calgary to face the Flames on Friday.