Wild walk-off Blackhawks on Zuccarello's overtime goal

Minnesota defeats Chicago 4-3 in extra time

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:47am

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The Minnesota Wild defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday night. Ryan Hartman, Marcus Johansson, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Mats Zuccarello each scored a goal for the Wild, with Brock Faber recording three assists. Filip Gustavsson made 21 saves in regulation, and Jesper Wallstedt stopped both shots he faced in overtime to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This was an important win for the Wild, who are battling for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, continue to struggle this season as they rebuild their roster.

The details

The Wild jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Hartman and Johansson. The Blackhawks battled back to tie the game at 2-2 in the second period, but Tarasenko put the Wild back on top in the third. Chicago forced overtime with a late goal, but Zuccarello scored the game-winner for Minnesota in the extra session.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • The Wild and Blackhawks will face off again on Thursday, March 20, 2026.

The players

Ryan Hartman

Forward for the Minnesota Wild who scored a goal in the game.

Marcus Johansson

Forward for the Minnesota Wild who scored a goal and had two assists.

Vladimir Tarasenko

Forward for the Minnesota Wild who scored the go-ahead goal in the third period.

Mats Zuccarello

Forward for the Minnesota Wild who scored the overtime game-winning goal.

Brock Faber

Defenseman for the Minnesota Wild who had three assists in the game.

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What they’re saying

“That was a huge win for us against a division rival. We showed a lot of resilience to come back and get the two points.”

— Mats Zuccarello (am1100theflag.com)

What’s next

The Wild and Blackhawks will face off again on Thursday, March 20, 2026 in Minnesota.

The takeaway

The Wild's victory over the Blackhawks in overtime showcases the team's ability to battle back and win close games, an important skill as they push for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.