Wild 3, Avalanche 1
Linemates Erik Haula and Justin Fontaine each recorded a goal and an assist as visiting Minnesota improved to 4-0-0 against Colorado this season.
Jason Pominville also tallied as the surging Wild improved to 13-2-1 in their last 16 games to open a three-point lead over Calgary for the second wild card in the Western Conference. Devan Dubnyk turned aside 33 shots in his 20th consecutive start to move to 15-3-1 since being acquired in a trade with Arizona.
Maxime Talbot netted the lone goal for the Avalanche, who have scored a total of one in the four matchups with Minnesota and dropped eight points behind their Central Division rival. Semyon Varlamov (29 saves) allowed at least three goals for the fourth straight start in taking the loss.
The Wild's fourth line struck for the first of its two goals midway through the first period as Haula found an opening between Varlamov and the post from behind the end line. Talbot was credited with the tying goal 1:32 into the second as the puck caromed off the end boards and under the skate of Dubnyk, who pushed it over the goal line.
Minnesota answered 7 1/2 minutes later as defenseman Jonas Brodin's long lead pass sprung Haula, who sent a perfect crossing feed to a cutting Fontaine for an easy conversion and a 2-1 edge. The Wild made it a two-goal cushion 5:50 into the third as Mikael Granlund sent a long lead pass to Pominville, who ripped a shot from the right faceoff circle into the top right corner of the net.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Pominville ended a seven-game point drought with his 13th tally of the season. ... Talbot's goal ended Colorado's dry spell against Minnesota this season at 201 minutes, 42 seconds. ... The Wild snuffed out all seven Colorado power plays and have killed off 43-of-44 short-handed situations since the All-Star break.