Minnesota protected its playoff position and moved closer to the third-place spot in the Central that Colorado swiped last week.

Pulling off a victory against a division rival despite key injuries helped steady the Wild amid a tenuous stretch in the schedule.

The Wild took a 1-0 lead midway through the second when they capitalized on a turnover by Necas in his defensive zone. Boldy poked the puck to Marco Rossi, who pushed it ahead to a charging Zuccarello. His high wrist shot beat Blackwood over the shoulder.