MIN-VGK

LAS VEGAS -- The Minnesota Wild increased their lead for third place in the Central Division with a 4-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Friday.
Jason Zucker, who grew up in Las Vegas, had a goal and an assist for Minnesota, which won for the first time in three games and is 4-2-0 in the past six.

WATCH: [All Wild vs. Golden Knights highlights]
"It was cool to be here, and on top of that, having my family and friends here, my wife and kids," Zucker said. "It doesn't get any better than that."
The Wild (40-24-7) lead the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars by three points for third in the Central. They are seven behind the Winnipeg Jets for second.
Alex Stalock made 26 saves in his first game since March 2, and Charlie Coyle, Matt Dumba and Zach Parise scored for Minnesota, which won its first game in Las Vegas and swept the three-game season series against the Golden Knights.
"It was crazy. It was loud, and it was crazy especially when they scored those two goals," Zucker said. "[The fans] got really into it. It was a fun game."

Vegas (45-21-5), which lost a fourth straight home game, leads the Pacific Division by eight points over the second-place San Jose Sharks.
Erik Haula, who was selected from the Wild in the NHL Expansion Draft, scored his fifth goal in six games and had an assist for the Golden Knights.
"We've got to figure it out quick here," Haula said. "We had a good meeting with the guys after the game. We've got to realize we only have a couple handfuls of games left. We've got to start peaking."
Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves in his second straight loss after getting his 400th NHL win Monday at the Philadelphia Flyers.
"It's tough to figure out," Fleury said of the home losing streak. "We've had such great success here all year long. Now, it's been a few weeks that we're struggling here. On the road, I think we played the right way, a little more patient, and simple, I'd say. So, I think we need to get back to that."
Zucker scored at 7:19 of the first period to give the Wild a 1-0 lead.
"That was fun. First year ever here for Vegas, and [Zucker's] from here, we wanted to get him one," Wild forward Eric Staal said. "For him to get the first one, to get us on the board, you can't ask for anything better than that."
Coyle scored at 5:53 of the second period to make it 2-0, and Dumba made it 3-0 at 7:36.
"When we win, all season long, we usually outwork the other team," Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. "They came in here and outworked us tonight, that was the bottom line. We still played well, but the urgency wasn't there. I wouldn't say we're playing awful hockey, I'm not going there."
Haula scored at 13:28 of the third period to make it 3-1, and Ryan Carpenter scored with 56 seconds remaining to make it 3-2, before Parise's empty-net goal with 34 seconds left made it 4-2.

Goal of the game

Zucker's goal at 7:19 of the first period.

Save of the game

Stalock stopping Jonathan Marchessault at 17:31 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Haula's goal at 13:28 of the third period.

They said it

"I think we're trying to play a stingy game. We're trying to not let them skate. They're a fast team. They move pucks well, and they can make plays. If you can take away their legs and don't let them skate, it's going to be hard for them to make plays." -- Wild forward Jason Zucker
"We need everyone to step up and be that kind of leader for the team. We don't just have one, we have a bunch. Right now, we need everybody. It's tough times, and we've got to end it quick here." -- Golden Knights forward Erik Haula

Need to know

Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk is one win shy of 200 in the NHL. He is expected to start Saturday at the Arizona Coyotes. … Forward James Neal returned to the Golden Knights lineup after missing eight games with a hand injury. He had three shots on goal in 16:44. … Haula became the fifth Golden Knights player to reach 50 points (Marchessault and David Perron, 65 each; William Karlsson, 62; Reilly Smith, 60; and Haula, 51).

What's next

Wild: At the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday (9 p.m. ET; FS-A PLUS, FS-N, NHL.TV)
Golden Knights: Host the Calgary Flames on Sunday (4 p.m. ET; SN360, SNE, SNO, SNP, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV)