NHL Canucks Fall to Wild, Securing Minnesota’s Playoff Spot

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Wild secured their place in the playoffs with a decisive 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. Matt Boldy led the charge with his 39th and 40th goals of the season, while Kirill Kaprizov also reached the 40-goal milestone.

This playoff berth comes early for the Wild, securing their spot in just 75 games – a significant improvement from last season when they needed the final game of the regular season to qualify, ultimately falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round. Currently holding third place in the Western Conference and navigating the competitive Central Division, Minnesota is demonstrating its strength as a contender.

Key Performances & Game Highlights

Ryan Hartman contributed a pair of goals in the third period, reaching the 20-goal mark for the season. Filip Gustavsson was solid in net, making 29 saves to help the Wild bounce back from a 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday. A notable performance also came from former Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, now with the Wild, who recorded his 67th assist of the season.

Hughes arrived in Minnesota in a significant trade in December, which saw Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, and a first-round pick in 2026 head to Vancouver. This trade continues to be a talking point amongst NHL fans.

Tom Willander and Jake DeBrusk scored the goals for the Canucks, while Nikita Tolopilo stopped 32 shots. Vancouver had previously enjoyed an 8-6 victory against the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.

Canucks’ Season Outlook

With this loss, the Canucks have officially secured the 32nd-place finish in the league, guaranteeing them the best odds in the NHL draft lottery. While the season hasn’t gone as planned for Vancouver, the opportunity to secure a top draft pick offers a glimmer of hope for the future.

Game Details

• Boldy’s Goals: Tied the game at 2-2 early in the second period and later scored his 40th of the season.
• Kaprizov’s Goal: Followed Boldy’s goal with a snap shot to give the Wild the lead.
• Hartman’s Goals: Scored a tip-in goal and an empty-netter to seal the victory.

Looking Ahead

The Canucks will return home to host the Utah team on Saturday. The Wild will be on the road, facing the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. For more information on the NHL standings and schedules, visit the official NHL website.

The Wild are currently six points behind Dallas and 12 points behind Colorado in the Western Conference standings.

Source: The Associated Press