Wild Hold Off Blackhawks

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Jason Pominville and Matt Cooke scored first-period goals and Darcy Kuemper made 33 saves and the Minnesota Wild defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on Thursday night.

The Wild, who lost to Chicago in five games in the first round of the playoffs last season, have won three of four against the Blackhawks this season. Chicago lost in regulation for only the second time since Dec. 15.

Kuemper was making his sixth consecutive start as Minnesota's top two goalies, Josh Harding and Niklas Backstrom, have been sidelined with health problems. The Wild are 5-3 with rookie in the net this season.

Patrick Kane spoiled Kuemper's shutout bid when he scored his 24th goal of the season with 31.2 seconds left to bring the Blackhawks to within one. But Kuemper stopped one final flurry in the last 10 seconds and Zach Parise cleared the puck from Minnesota's zone to run out the clock.