The injury riddled Minnesota Wild were too strong for the defending NHL champions. The Minnesota Wild defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3.
Minnesota went into the game missing goalie Josh Harding and defenseman Jonas Brodin both were out.
Niklas Backstrom returned to the net for the Wild. The Star Tribune reports that Backstrom was impressive in his return, making 33 saves after missing 18 games because of a sprained knee.
Jason Pominville scored a pair of goals for Minnesota in his 600th game.
Zach Parise put the Wild on the scoreboard in the first period. It was the only goal in the first 20 minutes.
Pominville scored his first goal in the second period to put the Wild up 3-1. It was a wrist shot that he slipped past Blackhawk goalie Corey Crawford. Then about half way through the third period Pominville scored his second goal of the night, to put the Wild up by three goals.
Mikael Granlund and Ryan Suter each had a pair of assists for the Wild.
Minnesota has won three straight games and earned its second road victory of the season.
