Zuccarello scores two as Wild top Arizona
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Mats Zuccarello scored twice and Nick Bonino had a goal and two assists on Wednesday to lead the Minnesota Wild past the Arizona Coyotes 5-2.
It was the Wild’s first game since the death on Sunday of 20-year-old Daunte Wright, a Black man fatally shot by police during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb.
Minnesota’s originally scheduled game on Monday against St. Louis was postponed until May 12. And Wednesday’s game was moved to 1 p.m. local time in anticipation of potential curfews. The team held a moment of silence for Wright before the game.
Both of Zuccarello’s goals came on Minnesota’s resurgent power play, which converted all three of its opportunities in the game. After spending much of the season with the league’s worst power play, the Wild have scored 12 times with the man advantage in their past seven games.
“I think with the skill we have here on this team, we’re better than a lower-in-the-league power play,” said Bonino, whose power-play goal in the second period put Minnesota ahead 3-1. “For it to get clicking now when the playoffs come around and you’re not getting as many chances, you’ve got to be dialed in and ready to score.”
Zach Parise and Jared Spurgeon also scored and
Cam Talbot made 28 saves for Minnesota, which beat Arizona for the fifth time in six games this season and solidified its hold on third place in the West Division.
Jakob Chychrun and Phil Kessel scored for the Coyotes, who wrapped up a nine-game road grip with their fifth straight loss.
“I know the results aren’t there (but) I actually like our last three games,” Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said. “We need somebody to make a play, a crucial play at the right time, and we’re not getting it right now.”
Antti Raanta, who had been out since March 22 because of an injury, stopped 17 of 22 shots.
Minnesota was looking to bounce back after a tough weekend in St. Louis. After losing 9-1 on Friday, the Wild gave up a goal in the final minute of regulation and another with 2 seconds left in overtime to lose 3-2.
“That’s the NHL – it goes quick,” Zuccarello said. “That’s the good thing about when you win or lose, you have to forget about it quick and focus on