ST. PAUL, Minn., April 6 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Wild clinched the sixth seed in the NHL Western Conference Sunday, holding on for a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets in their regular-season finale for both teams.
Marian Gaborik's 30th goal gave Minnesota a 4-2 lead five minutes into the third period, and the Wild survived a frantic finish.
David Vyborny scored his 20th with 7:56 remaining to pull the Blue Jackets within a goal.
Minnesota, which is headed to the playoffs in just its third season, will face Vancouver or Colorado in the first round. The Wild established team records with 42 wins and 95 points.
Minnesota avoided a sweep of the season series, defeating Columbus for the first time in four meetings. The Blue Jackets were the only Western Conference team the Wild had not beaten this season.
Columbus, which entered the NHL with Minnesota in 2000, finished with 69 points - the lowest total in the Western Conference.
