Parise, Dubnyk lift Wild to 4-0 win over Avalanche

Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise, right, directs a shot at Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, of Russia, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk makes a save against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, of Russia, makes a stick save against the Minnesota Wild in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Zach Parise scored twice, Devan Dubnyk made 29 saves for his 19th NHL shutout and the surging Minnesota Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-0 on Saturday in a pivotal game between two teams contending for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

Jordan Schroeder also scored and Mikael Granlund added a short-handed goal into an empty net to help the Wild move five points ahead of Colorado for eighth place in the playoff race.

Parise remains red hot as he followed up his hat trick on Thursday night with two more goals, including one in the second period of a scoreless contest that sent the Wild on their way to their fifth straight win.

This was a crushing blow to the playoff chances of the Avalanche. They have a tougher schedule with all seven of their remaining games against teams headed to the postseason. The Wild play three of their final six contests against teams with no postseason shot.