By AP
ST. PAUL, MN – Antti Miettinen got Minnesota going with a pair of first-period goals, and Detroit's defense fell apart down the stretch in the Wild's 5-2 victory over the Red Wings on
Wednesday night.
Josh Harding made the early scores hold up with 26 saves for Minnesota, which improved to 6-0-1 in its last seven home games. Detroit's 4-3 shootout victory last week is the only blemish.
Miettinen, who has 15 goals this season, had his third two-goal game in his last seven games.
Pavel Datsyuk had two goals in the first period himself for the Red Wings, who have found themselves in a real fight for a playoff spot for the first time in years.