Blackhawks win their fifth in a row, beating Wild, 4-2

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews each scored in the second period, and the Chicago Blackhawks stretched their winning streak to a season-high five games with a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night.

Tomas Kopecky also scored in the second, Marian Hossa secured the game with a short-handed goal with 1:52 left, and the surging Blackhawks crept a little bit closer to last year’s Stanley Cup championship form.

The Wild paid for a flat first two periods and lost to one of its primary competitors in the crowded Western Conference race.

Toews had two assists and has 23 points in his last 14 games, including four goals in his last six. Hossa scored for the fourth straight game and Sharp got his 33rd goal of the season, tied for second-most in the NHL.

Martin Havlat scored for the Wild against his old team and Brent Burns brought Minnesota to within one with 4:12 left after digging for his own rebound. His backhand flip between his skates gave him 16 goals, a career high and the franchise record for defensemen.