A strong third period by the Wild made the game interesting, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a huge first period by the Blackhawks.
Minnesota struck first on Devin Setoguchi’s fifth goal of the season at the 8:22 mark of the first period, giving the Wild an early 1-0 lead. The lead didn’t last long.
Chicago went on a scoring burst with two goals from Bryan Bickell and one apiece from Brad Staab and Marian Hossa to put the Wild in a 4-1 hole after the first. The first two goals were 44 seconds apart and the last two goals of the period came just 1:33 apart.
After a scoreless second period the Wild came out strong in the third. A power play goal from Ryan Suter — his first with the Wild — along with Kyle Brodziak’s third goal of the season made it a one goal game. 61 seconds later one of the NHL’s best scorers — Patrick Kane — buried a rebound for his 12th goal of the season and a 5-3 Chicago lead.
Niklas Backstrom was pulled after allowing four goals on 17 shots in the first period. Darcy Kuemper allowed one goal on 15 shots off the bench.
Chicago outshot the Wild, 32-23.
Going back to season the Blackhawks have secured a point in 29 straight games.
