GLENDALE, Ariz. – Kyle Brodziak scored twice, Niklas Backstrom returned from a three-game absence to make 35 saves and the NHL-leading Minnesota Wild beat the Phoenix Coyotes 4-1 on Saturday night to run their franchise-record road winning streak to seven games.
Dany Heatley also scored and Mikko Koivu added a goal and an assist for Minnesota.
Backstrom, who missed three games because of a strained groin muscle, returned to appear in his 300th career game. The Wild were without Devin Setoguchi, Cal Clutterbuck and Josh Harding, all of whom missed their second consecutive game with unspecified injuries.
Lauri Korpikoski scored with 3:57 to play for the Coyotes, who have lost two straight and four of six.
Brodziak struck early, tucking home a rebound off Mike Smith's glove for a power-play goal at 2:08 of the first — 4 seconds after Keith Yandle was sent off for high-sticking.
The Wild struck early again in the second, making it 2-0 when Koivu took a pass from Jeff Taffe at the top of the left circle and pushed a one-timer past Smith for his seventh goal and team-leading 21st point.
Brodziak added his second at 11:43 of the second, scooping up a loose puck to the right of the net and beating Smith on a wraparound for his 10th goal.
Heatley made it 4-0 with 8:37 remaining, tipping Jared Spurgeon's original shot from the left point past Smith for his ninth goal and the Wild's third power-play goal in four opportunities.
NOTES: Minnesota extended its franchise record with 43 points in 30 games. ... The Wild are 19-1-0 when allowing two goals or fewer. ... Taffe was playing in his second game since being recalled from Houston on Thursday. ... Korpikoski nearly ended the shutout earlier in the third period when he sent a backhand shot across the crease inches in front of the goal line. ... The Coyotes had won six of the past eight meetings between the teams over the past two seasons (6-1-1).
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