The Minnesota Wild didn't get the full two points that a victory would've provided them with Monday night, but they did go into New Jersey and earn one point with a 3-2 shootout loss to the Devils.
It was looking bleak before Matt Boldy scored to tie the game 2-2 with 2:08 left in the third period. It was the 100th goal of Boldy's career and his fourth time lighting the lamp over Minnesota's last seven games — a big step up after going 11 consecutive games without a goal.
In the shootout, the Devils beat goalie Filip Gustavsson twice while Mats Zuccarello and Boldy were denied. Zuccarello's attempt was blocked by Jacob Markstrom and Boldy's attempt to keep the game going dinged the right post.
Though Gustavsson was beaten in the shootout, he made 26 saves on the night, including a seldom seen save in which the puck wound up on his back and required him reaching behind himself with his blocker to prevent the puck from crossing goal line.
With a record of 41-28-6, the Wild are five points behind Colorado for third place in the Central Division. Only seven games remain, however, and Minnesota's chances of securing a top-three spot in the division are slim.
Instead, they have a one point lead over St. Louis for the top wild-card spot, and they're six points ahead of the first team out of the wild-card picture, the Vancouver Canucks.
After a home-and-home against the Devils, the Wild will stay out East for a couple of games in New York. They face the Rangers at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday and then play the Islanders at 6:30 p.m. CT Friday.