The Minnesota Wild won their third straight game on Friday night to extend their Northwest Division lead to six points over the Vancouver Canucks and remain on top of the Western Conference with the Detroit Red Wings at 33 points.
The Wild got off to a quick start against the Devils, scoring on three of their first four shots and sending future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur to the bench after just eight minutes. It was Brodeur's second straight game having trouble preventing the puck from getting by him, as he allowed three first period goals and six overall to the Avalanche on Wednesday.
Center Kyle Brodziak scored twice on five shots to lead the Wild in scoring. Backup goalie Josh Harding stopped all 22 shots he faced in place of Nicklas Backstrom, who was replaced to start the second period due to a minor lower-body issue. The Devils outshot the Wild 31-16.
The Wild play next on Sunday vs. the Pacific Division's worst team, the Anaheim Ducks.
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