Flames 4, Wild 3 (OT)
Mikael Backlund batted a rebound out of the air and into the net 2:25 into overtime to cap his second two-goal effort in three games as Calgary completed a perfect five-game homestand.
TJ Galiardi recorded a goal and an assist while defenseman Dennis Wideman also tallied for the Flames, who have posted their first five-game winning streak since March 2012. Karri Ramo stopped all six shots he faced before leaving with an injury late in the first period and Reto Berra came on to make 14 saves.
Dany Heatley netted a goal and set up another while Matt Cooke and blue-liner Keith Ballard also scored for Minnesota. Darcy Kuemper turned aside 28 shots.
Backlund gave Calgary a 3-1 lead while short-handed exactly one minute into the third period by tapping home a loose puck after Kuemper misplayed a shot. Heatley converted a power-play chance 9:31 later and Ballard forged a tie when his wrist shot from the slot fooled Berra with 4:05 remaining in regulation.
Galiardi opened the scoring 12:36 into the first period by lifting a backhand shot past Kuemper. Cooke tied the game with a short-handed tally at 14:03 of the second, but Wideman restored Calgary’s lead with 1:36 remaining in the period as he tipped fellow defenseman Chris Butler’s point shot over a falling Kuemper.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Backlund has recorded two points in each of his last four games. ... Ballard’s tying goal was his second tally of the season - both of which have come in his last four games. … The Flames announced via Twitter that Ramo suffered a lower-body injury. He stretched awkwardly to make a save shortly before leaving the game. … Wild LW Zach Parise added an assist on Heatley’s goal, giving him eight points in his last three contests.