Sutter returns after long layoff to save day for Canucks

ST. PAUL, Minnesota — Brandon Sutter made a triumphant return to the Vancouver Canucks lineup.

Back after missing 21 games with a lower body injury, Sutter scored 2:50 into overtime to lift Vancouver to a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night.

Sutter took a pass from Alexander Edler just inside the Wild blue line, cut to the inside against Jonas Brodin and beat Devan Dubnyk on the stick side.

“I think we kind of knew that the D was changing,” Sutter said. “I tried to jump it. You get 1-on-1 with a little bit of speed, you want to try something. I just managed to get a step around him and tried to get a shot on and luckily it went through,” Sutter said.

Vancouver coach Travis Green wasn’t sure when to use the returning centre in the extra period.

“They’re got some big bodies and some of the centremen are big. I just felt like I had to use him. I was torn to put him out that one or give him an extra shift off,” he said.

Vancouver trailed late in the third period before rallying to win its second straight after going 1-7-2 in its previous 10. The Canucks, who won 5-2 Friday in Columbus, hadn’t won two in a row since taking three straight Nov. 30-Dec. 5.

Loui Eriksson and Thomas Vanek also scored for the Canucks, who played without Daniel Sedin. The team’s thirdleading goal scorer with 10 was a late scratch with back spasms.

Green expects Sedin to return next weekend after the team’s five-day break.

Jason Zucker and Daniel Winnik scored for Minnesota, 5-0-2 in its last seven homes games.

The Wild are also taking their mandatory break, and wanted to finish a four-games-in-six-night stretch on high note. They’ve earned earned six of a possible eight points in the stretch.

“Just looking at tonight, it’s pretty disappointing having the lead with three minutes left in the game and not coming away with the win. But I guess big picture wise, we’re slowly climbing the standings, so that’s a good thing,” Zach Parise said.

Vanek redirected a slapshot from Sam Gagner between Dubnyk’s pads to tie it with 3:12 left in regulation. Winnik scored on a one-timer from the left circle with 7:46 to play to put the Wild ahead 2-1.

While Vancouver is likely in sell mode as the trade deadline approaches late next month, Minnesota holds the first wild card spot in the Western Conference with five teams within four points.

“We are definitely pushing in the right direction, that’s for sure,” Nate Prosser said.