Wild 4, Flames 2: Thomas Vanek's 20th goal of the season early in the third period snapped a tie and helped lift host Minnesota to its fourth straight win.

Defenseman Matt Dumba, captain Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise also scored for the Wild, who moved within one point of Chicago for the third and final automatic playoff spot in the Central Division, Devan Dubnyk stopped 23 shots to improve to 25-6-1 since coming to Minnesota in a trade with Arizona.

Josh Jooris and Markus Granlund tallied for the Flames, who remained one point behind Los Angeles for third place in the Pacific. Karri Ramo allowed four goals on 35 shots before being replaced by Jonas Hiller, who stopped the only shot he faced.

Jooris opened the scoring 5:52 into the game, pouncing on a loose puck during a scramble and firing a high shot past Dubnyk. Dumba drew the Wild even midway through the first period as he buried his own rebound after a give-and-go during a power play.

Minnesota went ahead for good at 3:36 of the third as Vanek's backhand swipe from the left edge of the crease knocked the puck out of mid-air and past Ramo. Koivu padded the lead at 6:59 as he redirected Chris Stewart's feed, and Parise's 30th goal of the campaign on a breakaway at 11:46 iced things.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Vanek has recorded at least 20 goals in each of his 10 NHL seasons. ... Parise became the fourth Minnesota player to score 30 goals in a campaign, joining Marian Gaborik, Brian Rolston and Jason Pominville. ... Jooris' tally was just his second in the last 22 games.