Silfverberg hot but Ducks iced
Kevin Fiala scored his second goal of the game with 59 seconds remaining in overtime and the Minnesota Wild beat the Ducks 5-4 on Sunday night.
Fiala drew a tripping penalty on Josh Manson with 1:05 remaining in overtime and needed just six seconds to bury a wrist shot from the left circle. It was Fiala’s seventh goal in eight games, and he has 14 goals and 12 assists in 18 games since Feb. 1.
The Ducks got two goals from Jakob Silfverberg, who reached 20 goals for the fourth time in his career. He also delivered a slick pass to Christian Djoos for the tying score with 1:42 left in regulation. But Anaheim couldn’t hold a 3-2 lead going into the third and fell short in its sixth straight attempt at a season-high three-game win streak.
Ryan Miller made 25 saves and Danton Heinen also scored. Rickard Rakell assisted on both scores in Silfverberg’s first two-goal game this season.
“We bring out the best in each other,” Silfverberg said of his linemate and Swedish countryman.
Djoos’ goal was his first with the Ducks after he arrived in a Feb. 24 trade with Washington.
“He’s always looking to make a play,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “He rarely slaps the puck away. He rarely ices the puck. He has that ability that some defensemen have to control the tempo of the game at times . ... it’s a great opportunity for him [with us]. So far, he’s really played well.”
The Wild reclaimed the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota has won eight of its past 11 games.
Devan Dubnyk made 22 saves in his first start Feb. 23. Mats Zuccarello ended a 17game scoring drought.