Koivu scores 2 goals and Wild slip past Jets for 2-1 victory

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Mikko Koivu scored two goals, including the winner with 3:12 remaining, and the Minnesota Wild extended their winning streak to four games with a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.

Josh Harding made 21 saves for his 12th victory.

The Wild have an eight-game points streak (7-0-1) and pulled into second place, two points behind Chicago, in the Central Division. They also extended their home winning streak to six games and are 10-1-2 at home.

The Jets had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Koivu doubled his goals total for the season. He scored his third goal of the season in a first period dominated by Minnesota, which held the Jets to just two shots on goal. Koivu corralled a pass from Zach Parise in the slot and sent a quick wrist shot past Ondrej Pavelec at 16:37.

Parise’s assist gave him 13 points in his past 12 games.

The Jets rebounded with a strong second period, outshooting the Wild 14-8, but didn’t score until Dustin Byfuglien, parked in the crease, deflected a slap shot from Bryan Little to tie the score at 1-1 just 54 seconds into the third period.

Koivu put the Wild ahead at 16:48 of the third. He one-timed a pass from Charlie Coyle, who fought off a check from Keaton Ellerby in the right corner, to the short side of the net, slipping it past Pavelec.

The Jets pulled Pavelec with just under a minute to play, but didn’t manage a shot on goal.

NOTES: Winnipeg’s two shots in the first period were the fewest the Wild have allowed in a period this season. … The Wild are 10-1-2 in their past 13 games.