ST. PAUL, Minn. _ A low-scoring duel was peculiar enough considering just how much the Wild were being outplayed early _ a lopsided feel that would typically result in a multigoal deficit.
But what the 2-1 shootout win over the Flames on Tuesday in front of 18,767 at Xcel Energy Center even more unique _ and frankly, impressive _ was that it took two Wild goaltenders to complete the job.
Backup Alex Stalock replaced No.1 Devan Dubnyk after the first period, as Dubnyk left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return.
Stalock made 16 saves in relief and turned aside another four in the shootout after backstopping the Wild to a 4-3 overtime win over the Sharks on Sunday, while wingers Chris Stewart and Mikael Granlund converted for the Wild in the five-round battle.
Not only did the victory push the Wild's win streak to three games, but it also extended their dominance on home ice with the team 6-0-1 over their last seven in Saint Paul.
Dubnyk was busy through the first 20 minutes, turning aside 10 shots to frustrate a Calgary group that was clearly superior at the start.
The Flames pummeled the front of the net with pressure, as pucks and bodies confronted Dubnyk. Winger Matthew Tkachuk came close to scoring off a redirect. Center Mikael Backland put the rebound through the crease. And the Flames dinged the post twice.
Not until 10 minutes, 2 seconds had passed did the Wild even register their first shot on goal _ a wrister from captain Mikko Koivu that disappeared in Calgary goalie Mike Smith's midsection.
Coach Bruce Boudreau warned his team repeatedly about a letdown in the lead-up to its return home from a lengthy road trip, but the pregame message didn't help.
At one point, the shot differential was 7-1 in the Flames' favor.
Quality, however, trumped quantity, as the Wild escaped the first with a one-goal lead.
On just their third shot of the game, center Matt Cullen whipped a backhander through traffic and by Smith _ who totaled 21 saves _ at 17:24 to snap a 17-game scoreless streak and record the 250th goal of his career. He became just the 29th American-born player to reach the plateau.
The Wild eased Stalock into duty in the second, as the team earned two power plays through the first 10 minutes but blanked on both.
Overall, though, the Wild spent more time in the Flames' end _ more than doubling their shots on goal in the second. But it didn't help the team grow its lead.
Instead, the Flames tied it with 1:03 left in the second on a blistering point shot from winger Micheal Ferland.
That set up a photo finish in the third, a period that has been hit or miss lately for the Wild.
Last week, the team was steamrolled by the Kings and then blew leads to the Ducks and Sharks despite playing competitively before rallying in overtime.
This time, the Wild traded chances with the Flames, as both teams were even for much of the period. Calgary had a look late in the frame on the power play, but it was unable to convert and finished the game 0-for-3.
Still tied after regulation, the Wild headed to their third straight extra-time game.
And like the ones before, they prevailed.
