Eriksson Ek, Wild defeat Canucks in OT, spoil Boudreau's return

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Joel Eriksson Ek scored 31 seconds into overtime to give the Minnesota Wild a 3-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday, spoiling the return of former coach Bruce Boudreau.

Boudreau was back in Minnesota for the first time since he was fired by the Wild and replaced by Dean Evason on Feb. 14, 2020. The Canucks are 23-11-7 since Boudreau was hired on Dec. 5.
"I thought it was a really good point," Boudreau said. "To come back in the third period, we didn't have a lot left in the tank. … When you go into overtime, anything can happen. We hit the post, they come down and score.
"Obviously, at this stage of the season, you need those other points, but I can't be unhappy with the fact that we got one point."
Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and an assist for the Wild (38-20-4), who won their fourth straight. Cam Talbot made 26 saves for his seventh straight win.
"We've been great defensively," Wild forward Kevin Fiala said. "A good job bearing down. Just stay on the right side of the ice and don't give them too much in the D-zone. Just stay tight and don't give them too many opportunities. We're blocking shots, boxing out, the details are great now."

Thatcher Demko made 33 saves for the Canucks (31-26-9), who are 1-2-2 in their past five games.
Eriksson Ek won it on a breakaway.
"It's kind of hard when you get that much time," Eriksson Ek said. "A lot of thinking goes through your head what you're going to do. I mean, I've seen (Wild forward Mats Zuccarello) do that move a lot of times, just trying to be like him for that one."
Bo Horvat scored at 4:13 of the first period to give the Canucks a 1-0 lead. Talbot denied Brock Boeser with a pad save, but Horvat picked up the loose puck in the slot and went high glove for the goal.
"I thought we did a great job of pouncing on them and getting our legs under us after a long travel day and minimal rest," Horvat said. "We knew they were going to come. That's the type of team they are. They played heavy. They played mean and physical. I thought we countered that pretty well."
Kaprizov tied it 1-1 at 8:08 on the Wild's first shot. He worked the puck along the boards and received a pass back from Ryan Hartman in the slot before scoring with a wrist shot.
Fiala put Minnesota in front 2-1 at 1:44 of the second period with a spinning shot in the slot following a face-off win.

Jon Merrill appeared to increase the lead 3-1 at 11:03 with a shot through traffic, but Boudreau challenged the play for offside, and the call was reversed after a video review.
"We get that goal disallowed, rightfully so, [but] we didn't lose our composure," Evason said. "… So that was exciting for us, that we were able to hold our composure in those areas, because it's going to happen. You're going to get a bad call. You're going to get a bad break, and that's what the season's for. We've hopefully learned from many experiences early in the season as well."
J.T. Miller tied it 2-2 at 7:56 of the third period. Zuccarello was called for high-sticking against Quinn Hughes, and Miller scored glove side five seconds into the man-advantage.
NOTES:Marc-Andre Fleury is expected debut for the Wild on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Evason said. The goalie, acquired by Minnesota on Monday in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, backed up Talbot against the Canucks. … Boudreau went 158-110-35 in four seasons with the Wild. … It was the third straight overtime loss in the opening minute for the Canucks. … Defenseman Jake Middleton was minus-1 with two shots and two hits in his Wild debut after being traded from the San Jose Sharks on Monday. … Kaprizov scored his 60th NHL goal (116 games). Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (95 games) is the only active player who needed fewer games to score 60.