Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 5, Coyotes 2 - BlueJackets.com

1. Not quite a dagger, but close?

Minnesota still has some work to do when it comes to securing a postseason spot, but the victory on Monday night was one giant step towards that goal.

The Coyotes began the night in fourth place in the West Division, but 12 points back of the third-place Wild in the standings. Minnesota also has two games in hand.

Video: MIN@ARI: Johansson cleans up the loose puck for PPG

Well, that lead grew by two more points and Arizona now has one fewer game to cut into that lead ... and will have only one more game against Minnesota to take a direct bite, a game that will be played on Wednesday night.

So where do things stand now? 

Minnesota leads Arizona by 14 points, and the Coyotes have 10 games remaining. If they finish the season a perfect 10-0-0, the Wild would have to finish the year somewhere in the neighborhood of 2-9-1 over its final 12 contests in order for Arizona to move ahead. 

Video: MIN@ARI: Fiala buries a goal for 4-2 lead in the 2nd

Neither one of those scenarios seems likely at this point.

So while the Wild is still a few victories away from clinching a playoff spot, Monday's game was critical, as will Wednesday's final standoff. 

Should Minnesota make the playoffs and should Arizona miss (they are locked in a tight battle with the St. Louis Blues for the fourth spot), look no further that the games between these two teams. The Wild is 6-1-0 over its first seven games against the Coyotes, Minnesota's best record against any other team in the West Division.

2. Making history.

It's been a remarkable season for rookie Kirill Kaprizov, and it reached historic status on Monday night in Arizona.

With his first-period power-play goal, Kaprizov reached 18 goals and 37 points - the goal number tying Marian Gaborik's franchise rookie record. Kaprizov's goal put him one point clear of Gaborik's previous rookie record of 36.

Video: MIN@ARI: Kaprizov finishes tic-tac-toe for PPG in 1st

Perhaps most impressive: Gaborik accomplished his records in 71 games. Kaprizov did it in 44. 

The goal was his sixth power-play goal, which also tied a rookie record. 

3. Right at home in the desert.

Jordan Greenway snapped a lengthy goal drought on Monday night, lighting the lamp early in the second period for the first time in 21 games.

With the game tied at 1-1, Marcus Foligno led a 2-on-1 with Greenway crashing the back door. Foligno looked like he was ready to fire a snap shot, but instead hit Greenway for a perfect redirection for his fifth goal of the season.

Video: MIN@ARI: Greenway puts the puck home for a 2-1 lead

Greenway's last goal came all the way back on March 6, where else, but at Gila River Arena, site of his gorgeous tally on Monday. 

Foligno has two assists in his first three games back since missing a month because of a lower-body injury. He has 10 points in his past 11 games overall. 

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