Wild 6, Devils 2
Thomas Vanek scored twice to help Devan Dubnyk emerge victorious in his 200th career start as host Minnesota breezed to its sixth win in seven outings.
Chris Stewart and defenseman Jared Spurgeon each scored and set up a goal and Sean Bergenheim netted his first tally for the Wild, who are 17-3-2 in their last 22 contests. Jason Pominville also scored, former Devil Zach Parise notched two assists and Dubnyk turned aside 30 shots while making his franchise-best 25th consecutive start.
Dainius Zubrus and Scott Gomez each scored and Steve Bernier had two assists for the Devils, who fell for the fourth time in seven games (3-3-1). Cory Schneider yielded five goals on 30 shots before being replaced by Keith Kinkaid (seven saves).
Kyle Brodziak shot wide from the right doorstep but alertly tapped the loose puck back to Bergenheim, who beat Schneider from the slot to open the scoring with 1:03 remaining in the first period. Stewart backhanded home a juicy rebound 13 seconds into the middle session and Spurgeon pinched in and blasted a one-timer from the right circle past Schneider to give Minnesota 3-0 lead four minutes later.
Zubrus scored for the first time in 50 games to put New Jersey on the board midway into the second, but Vanek converted from the doorstep three minutes later to regain the Wild's three-goal advantage. The Austrian wasn't done, as his power-play tally at 8:18 of the third period staked Minnesota to a 6-1 lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Dubnyk improved to 19-4-1 since being acquired from Arizona. ... New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello elected to reside in the press box for the first time since his team's coaching change. Tommy Albelin joined Adam Oates and Scott Stevens behind the bench. ... Bernier has five assists in his last two contests.