Wild hold onto playoff spot with win

Minnesota just 3-6-3 over past 12, but is in final Western position

Luke Kunin and Jordan Greenway scored in the first period, and the Minnesota Wild went on to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday.

Eric Staal added a goal in the second for the Wild, who are 3-6-3 in their past 12 games but occupy the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after sweeping back-to-back road games against the Rangers and Red Wings.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha scored for Detroit.

Blue Jackets 3, Senators 0:

Sergei Bobrovsky made 22 saves, and Matt Duchene’s first game with Columbus was a win over his former team, Ottawa. Duchene, who was dealt by Ottawa to Columbus hours before the game, was held pointless. Josh Anderson, Cam Atkinson and Oliver Bjorkstrand scored for the Blue Jackets. Craig Anderson made 37 saves for the Senators, who were shut out for the second straight game and have lost three straight. Duchene received an ovation from the crowd when he was introduced in the starting lineup. He was then mildly booed when he touched the puck during his second shift of the game, and again applauded during a short video tribute.

Avalanche 5, Blackhawks 3:

J.T. Compher scored his second goal of the game on a breakaway to snap a tie with 5:22 left in the third period, and Colorado beat Chicago for its third straight win.

Flames 2, Ducks 1:

Andrew Mangiapane and T.J. Brodie each scored a goal and goalie Mike Smith made 25 saves to give Calgary a victory over Anaheim.

Notes:

The Sabres have placed forward Kyle Okposo on injured reserve and demoted defenseman Lawrence Pilut to the minors. Okposo is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with his third concussion in less than three years . ... Oilers All-star Connor Mcdavid has been suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of the New York Islanders’ Nick Leddy during Edmonton’s 4-3 win on Thursday night . ... The Capitals upgraded their blue line by acquiring defenseman Nick Jensen from the Red Wings. Washington sent a 2020 secondround pick and defenseman Madison Bowey to Detroit for Jensen and a 2019 fifth-round pick.