Rangers score three 3rd period goals to beat Wild 4-1
There would be no come-from-behind act this time for the Wild after another slow start saw them lose 4-1 to the Rangers Thursday night.
Vincent Trocheck put the Rangers ahead just 3:56 into the game as the home side dominated the first period, outshooting the visitors 14-2.
Minnesota reversed course in the second period, racking up 11 shots to the Rangers' one in the opening 12 minutes. Brandon Duhaime capitalized on the Wild's sustained second period pressure with the equalizer at the 12:32 mark, sending the teams into the final period even on score and shots.
But from then on it was one way traffic, with the Rangers quickly retaking the momentum as Alexis Lafreniere was on the scoring end of a three-on-one breakaway just 1:41 into the third period.
Former Gopher Blake Wheeler added a third Rangers goal at the 13:38 mark with just two seconds left in a New York power play. Artemi Panarin added a fourth for the Rangers on an empty net goal, dropping the Wild to 5-6-2 on the season.
Next up: Minnesota wrap up their East Coast road trip facing the Buffalo Sabres Friday night with puck drop set for 6 p.m.