Surging Wild dim Flames

Thomas Vanek and Mikko Koivu scored early in a three-goal third period and the Minnesota Wild pulled away to beat the Calgary Flames, 4-2, on Friday night in St. Paul, Minn.

Matt Dumba and Zach Parise also scored for Minnesota, which moved within one point of Chicago for third place in the Central Division and is three up on Winnipeg for the top wild-card spot. The Blackhawks lost, 5-2, at home to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Wild have won four in row and six of seven.

Devan Dubnyk stopped 23 shots. He made his 33d consecutive start since joining Minnesota and 34th overall, tying Antti Niemi for the most consecutive starts in the NHL since 2010-11.

Josh Jooris and Markus Granlund scored for Calgary, 2-3-2 in its last seven.

Making his fifth straight start, Karri Ramo stopped 31 shots before being pulled in the third period.

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was fined $2,000 by the NHL for diving.

Wilson received a minor penalty for embellishment during a game against Minnesota on March 19. He received a warning from the NHL's hockey operations department following an incident March 1 in a game against Toronto.

The second citation triggered the fine.

- Associated Press