Wild Vs. Blackhawks: More Woes For Minnesota As Chicago Wins, 5-2

Add a couple of sick goalies and another loss to the list of troubles for the struggling Wild, as Minnesota went into Chicago Thursday night and lost, 5-2, to the Blackhawks. The Wild and Blackhawks haven't had the best of times lately, despite their strong starts, however, each team hoped to change that luck after both were largely successful in their last victories.

Facing Ray Emery, who beat the Wild in the last meeting, Devin Setoguchi got the scoring started in his first game back from being a healthy scratch for missing a team meeting. But once Andrew Shaw tied the game for the Blackhawks, Chicago took over the rest of the game, scoring three more unanswered goals.

Jimmy Hayes, Viktor Stalberg and Dave Bolland all got in on the action, with Hayes and Bolland's goals on the power play. The Blackhawks are probably pleased to see a good mix of scoring contributions there from two youngsters and two stars.

Kyle Brodziak ended a 10-game scoreless drought after Josh Harding, who already started for the ill Niklas Backstrom and was a little sick himself, had to be replaced by Matt Hackett. Hackett was pulled with two minutes left in the game, but that seemed to be a little too much time, as Bolland scored his second of the game on the empty-netter to seal the 5-2 Blackhawks victory.

The Wild have not won on the road now in their last eight games, and that doesn't help them much, considering they will go on to play three more games on the road to complete their four-game road stretch. In total, seven of their next nine games will be played on the road before they have a four-game homestand.

Chicago can at least briefly enjoy being on top of the Central Division after the Blues lost in overtime to the Canucks. They play the Red Wings for their next game Saturday afternoon.