The Minnesota Wild will have a chance to close out this season strong after a tumultuous collapse that saw them as the best team in hockey a couple months into the season to completely out of the playoff picture at season's end. On Thursday night, the Wild swept the Chicago Blackhawks in their home-and-home via shootout, 2-1, bringing them back to the .500 mark at 35-35-11.
Cal Clutterbuck tied the game in the third period with less than four minutes remaining to force overtime. After the scoreless overtime period, Devin Setoguchi provided the lone goal in the shootout.
Minnesota will close their season on Saturday against the Phoenix Coyotes. Chicago finishes against the Red Wings and, because they picked up a point tonight, can move into the No. 5 spot with a regulation win.
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