By AP
ST. PAUL, MN – Todd Bertuzzi's shootout goal for Detroit clinched a 2-1 win Sunday over his old nemesis the Minnesota Wild, and goalie Jimmy Howard also gave the Red Wings a big hand in their fifth straight victory.
After Pavel Datsyuk flipped a first-round shot over Niklas Backstrom's stick, Howard denied the Wild's Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Matt Cullen to set up Bertuzzi's winner. Howard has given up only one shootout goal in 14 attempts this season.
Minnesota's Martin Havlat answered Nicklas Lidstrom's goal early in the third period by scoring on a breakaway to tie the game. Backstrom, who gave up only eight goals in his six previous starts this month, made 38 saves to keep the Wild competitive.