The Minnesota Wild is now in sole-possesion of first place in the Northwest Division after Monday night’s 3-1 win over the Canucks in Vancouver.
The Wild was 0-9-2 in its previous 11 trips to Rogers Arena.
Henrik Sedin’s eighth goal of the season put Vancouver on the board first, midway through the second period. The Wild had scored first in eight straight games prior, but it didn’t take Minnesota long to respond as Jonas Brodin’s second career goal tied the game just five minutes later.
Fellow rookie Charlie Coyle gave the Wild a 2-1 lead with his third goal of the season 3:20 into the third period.
Six minutes later Matt Cullen dodged a check from Keith Ballard and took a pretty pass from Devin Setoguchi and buried a wrist shot to put the Wild up by two.
Niklas Backstrom played a great game, stopping 35 of 36 shots on goal.
The Wild is now 16-10-2 and leads the division with 34 points. The Canucks drop to 13-9-6 with 32 points.
