A third-period blitz saw the Minnesota Wild overcome the Calgary Flames 4-2 in the NHL on Friday, as they closed in on the Chicago Blackhawks in the Central standings.
Minnesota struck three goals in the opening 12 minutes of the final period in St Paul to surge to a 4-1 lead and although the Flames hit back through Markus Granlund, the visitors were unable to deny the Wild a fourth straight win.
The victory took the Wild to 93 points, one behind the third-placed Blackhawks in the Western Conference's Central standings, after Chicago succumbed to a 5-2 loss at home to the Columbus Blue Jackets, with Cam Atkinson notching a hat-trick for the victors.
After Josh Jooris opened the scoring for the Flames at the Xcel Energy Center, Matt Dumba equalised for the hosts midway through the first period.
A goalless second period followed before the Wild took the game away from Calgary, with Thomas Vanek striking in the fourth minute, before Mikko Koivu scored in the seventh and Zach Parise converted in the 12th.
In Chicago, the nets bulged six times in total in the opening period, with Atkinson striking twice for the Blue Jackets as the visitors powered to a 4-2 lead.
The 25-year-old winger wrapped up his hat-trick in the final minute of the match.
In Friday's other game, the Edmonton Oilers crushed the Dallas Stars 4-0.