Flames top Wild for fourth straight win

Johnny Gaudreau assisted all three goals, including Hamilton's winner, as the Flames recovered from blowing a two-goal, third-period lead at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Flames (22-16-4) pull into a wild-card playoff position and are receiving some big performances from the top line during a winning streak that's now spilled into the start of a four-game road trip.

Micheal Ferland, one of the league's break-out players this season, netted his career-high 18th goal of the season six minutes into the clash when he finished a three-on-two rush that featured his linemates.

Then, Sean Monahan lit the lamp in the final minute of the second period, finishing another passing play that left him with essentially an open net behind Wild goalie, Alex Stalock.

Monahan's tally marked his 20th of the season, a standard he's reached in all five seasons in his NHL career. The only other player in franchise history to achieve that feat is Joe Nieuwendyk.

But the Wild didn't roll over. Mikael Granlund began the comeback seven minutes into the third period by snapping home a top-corner shot past Flames goalie Mike Smith for his 12th goal of the season, and defenseman Jared Spurgeon forced overtime by blasting a sharp-angled rocket off the far post and into the net.

Smith finished the night with 33 saves for Calgary, which plays the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday, Jan 11.

Stalock stopped 26 shots for the Wild (22-17-4), who were without forward Nino Niederreiter due to a lower-body injury the team said will keep him out of action at least a week.

Minnesota next plays Wednesday, Jan. 10, in Chicago.