Kevin Fiala scores 2, playoff-bound Wild beat Canucks 6-3

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Kevin Fiala scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the third period, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Vancouver Canucks 6-3 on Thursday night.

The Wild ensured they will finish either second or third in the Central Division and locked in a first-round playoff matchup with St. Louis, which is two points behind in the standings. Minnesota lost all three games against the Blues this season, including two in overtime.

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"We haven’t played (St. Louis) in here yet. We’re very strong here," Fiala said. "I have very much belief that we’re strong at home. And we have showed that, so it’s going to be a good series."

Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello each had a goal and two assists for the Wild, who also got goals from Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Hartman.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn (2) slides to the ice to try to block a shot by Minnesota Wild left wing Kevin Fiala (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 21, 2022, in St. Paul, Minn.  (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP)

Elias Pettersson scored twice for the Canucks and Matthew Highmore had Vancouver's other goal.

Minnesota's Cam Talbot stopped 21 shots, including a big pad save late in the first period to keep the game scoreless, and earned his 200th career win.

"The road that I took, the perseverance, the dedication, a lot went into making it this far," said Talbot, who's in his second season with the Wild. "The biggest part tonight was the big two points for our group."

Thatcher Demko stopped 25 shots for Vancouver.

Fiala’s second goal of the night and 32nd of the season broke a 3-3 tie with 7:43 remaining