Blackhawks 5, Wild 3
Patrick Kane scored the tiebreaking goal during a power play with 3:28 left in the third period as host Chicago improved to 10-1-0 in its last 11.
Captain Jonathan Toews and defenseman Brent Seabrook both matched Kane with a goal and two assists while Ben Smith notched one of each as the Blackhawks withstood a third-period comeback to win their seventh straight at home. Marian Hossa added a second-period goal and Antti Raanta made 26 saves in Chicago's 13th victory in 15 games.
Nino Niederreiter scored on a penalty shot while Thomas Vanek and defenseman Marco Scandella added goals for Minnesota, which has alternated wins and losses in its last 12 contests. Niklas Backstrom turned aside 34 shots as the Wild suffered their first regulation loss against a Central Division rival (6-1-1).
Minnesota battled back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period as Niederreiter converted a backhander on the penalty shot after he was taken down by Hossa and Scandella tied with a blast at the midway point. Kane put the Blackhawks ahead when his shot went in off the skate of Wild blue-liner Jonas Brodin and Smith scored into an empty net.
Vanek's one-timer from the slot served as the only goal of the opening period before Chicago stormed back with three in the second. Seabrook buried a shot from the high slot and Hossa converted in front on a feed from Toews, who knocked in a rebound with 3:39 left in the session.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Niederreiter notched his 14th goal in 29 games, matching his career high established in 81 contests last season while boosting Minnesota to 17-for-30 all-time on penalty shots. ... Blackhawks D Duncan Keith sat out the game with an undisclosed illness and coach Joel Quenneville said he was unsure if it is related to the mumps outbreak going around the league. ... Wild D Jared Spurgeon missed his second straight game due to illness, but Scandella returned after serving a two-game suspension.