Granlund's OT Goal Another Example Of This Growth

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)— Without Mikael Granlund's overtime goal, the Minnesota Wild would be in major trouble in this first-round series against Colorado.

After a rough rookie year for the young center from Finland, the Wild weren't sure they could count on Granlund this season for such important production. But his slick work with the stick deep in the Avalanche zone and the dramatic diving shot that followed are vivid examples of why he was drafted ninth overall by the Wild in 2010.

Concussion issues limited Granlund to 63 games, including the last six of the regular season, but he slid right back in to the second line for the playoffs and gave the Wild new life with his Game 3 winner.

Game 4 is set for Thursday with the Avalanche up 2-1.