Wild Come Back To Beat Islanders 5-4

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Nino Niederreiter tapped in the go-ahead goal with 4:33 left and capped a furious comeback by the Minnesota Wild in a 5-4 win over the New York Islanders 5-4 on Tuesday night.

The Wild trailed 3-0 after the first period and 4-1 at the second intermission, but they were fired up midway through the game. Defenseman Keith Ballard was sent to a hospital after his head bounced hard on the ice, following a hit from Matt Martin.

Jason Pominville, Mikko Koivu, Erik Haula and Thomas Vanek scored for the Wild, and Niederreiter followed with the most dramatic goal against the team that chose him No. 5 in the 2010 draft.

Chad Johnson, who made 25 saves for the Islanders, whacked his stick against the boards near the bench at the next whistle.

New York lost its second straight after leading 3-0 in the first.

Wild defenseman Ballard leaves with injury

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard has been hospitalized with an injury from a hit into the boards by New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin.

The Wild announced Ballard was conscious and taken to Regions Hospital for further evaluation and observation on Tuesday night.

Ballard passed the puck at mid-ice midway through the second period and tried to turn away as Martin charged toward him with a straight-ahead angle and his forearm raised for contact. Ballard was pinned awkwardly against the glass partition separating the benches above the wall, and then Ballard's head bounced hard on the ice as he fell.

Ballard was writhing back and forth as medics hustled out a stretcher, but he was able to get up after a few minutes and walk slowly to the locker room with assistance.