Wild defeat Blackhawks 4-3 in OT for third straight win

Minnesota's Mats Zuccarello scores game-winner in extra period

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:10am

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Mats Zuccarello scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 on Tuesday night. Marcus Johansson had a goal and two assists for the Wild, who snapped a three-game losing streak. The Blackhawks' Frank Nazar forced overtime with a late third-period goal.

Why it matters

This was the third straight meeting between the Wild and Blackhawks that needed overtime or a shootout to decide the winner, highlighting the close and competitive nature of their matchups this season. The victory keeps Minnesota in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference.

The details

Johansson and Ryan Hartman scored early in the first period to give the Wild a 2-0 lead. The Blackhawks responded with goals from Louis Crevier and Ryan Greene to make it 2-2. Vladimir Tarasenko scored on the power play late in the first to put Minnesota back up by one. Frank Nazar tied the game at 3-3 in the third period to force overtime, where Zuccarello netted the winner for the Wild.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • Hartman and Johansson scored in the first period.
  • Tarasenko scored a power-play goal late in the first period.
  • Nazar tied the game at 3-3 in the third period to force overtime.
  • Zuccarello scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

The players

Mats Zuccarello

Minnesota Wild forward who scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

Marcus Johansson

Minnesota Wild forward who had a goal and two assists in the game.

Frank Nazar

Chicago Blackhawks forward who scored the game-tying goal in the third period to force overtime.

Spencer Knight

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender who made 33 saves in the loss.

Filip Gustavsson

Minnesota Wild goaltender who made 21 saves and briefly left the game before returning.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a divisional rival. I'm proud of the way the guys battled back and found a way to get the two points.”

— Dean Evason, Minnesota Wild head coach (Minnesota Wild Twitter)

“It's frustrating to come up short again, but we showed a lot of fight to get back in the game. We'll regroup and get ready for the rematch on Thursday.”

— Luke Richardson, Chicago Blackhawks head coach (Chicago Blackhawks Twitter)

What’s next

The Wild and Blackhawks will conclude their season series on Thursday, March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

This back-and-forth game between division rivals showcased the competitive nature of their matchups this season, with each game requiring extra time to decide the winner. The Wild's ability to bounce back from a late deficit and secure the victory in overtime keeps them firmly in the Western Conference playoff race.