The Wild were getting by at the least without winger Zach Parise, having won seven of their last 10 heading into their fourth matchup of the year against Chicago.
With Parise back in the lineup after missing the last 14 games, Minnesota didn’t slow down, downing Western Conference power Chicago Thursday 2-1.
Parise was scoreless in his return while playing 19-plus minutes, with Jason Pominville and Matt Cooke providing first-period goals which would be all Darcy Kuemper would need in net, stopping 34 shots while allowing only a garbage time goal late in the third.
The Wild have beaten Chicago three of the four times they’ve played them this season, and play the Blackhawks one final time in the regular season, ensuring Minnesota the regular season series win.
Minnesota takes on San Jose Saturday in a 9:30 p.m. start.
