Wild Sneak Past Rangers Thursday Night

The Minnesota Wild topped the New York Rangers 2-1 Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild win, combined with a Phoenix loss in Boston, gives them a six point cushion in the playoff race.

Minnesota started the scoring with a Nino Niederreiter goal at 13:08 of the first period, with the assist credited to Kyle Brodziak. The Wild outshot the Rangers 9-7 in the opening period.

The Rangers got their revenge with a power play goal from former Wisconsin Badger Derek Stepan at 3:19 of the second period. The game would go to the second intermission tied 1-1, and the Wild again outshot New York 9-7 in the second period.

Zach Parise scored the eventual game-winning goal early in the third period for a 2-1 Minnesota lead. Parise's 23rd of the season was scored at 1:03 and was assisted by Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund.

The Rangers poured it on in the third period and outshot Minnesota 16-8 but could not come up with the tying goal.

The Wild will host Columbus Saturday night in St. Paul.