NHL: Minnesota 6, N.Y. Islanders 2

Marian Gaborik’s two goals and two assists Wednesday powered Minnesota’s 6-2 victory against the New York Islanders.

His fifth goal this season drew Minnesota into a 1-1 tie at 11:46 of the first period, and before his sixth in the third, he assisted on goals by Antti Miettinen (15) (power play) in the first and Martin Skoula (2) in the third.

Andrew Brunette (18th, power play) also scored once and Owen Nolan had a goal and two assists.

Goalie Niklas Backstrom was credited with 32 saves on 34 shots for the Wild, who had lost two of three and six of eight.

Gaborik has three goals in three games since returning from a hip injury and surgery that had sidelined him for all but six games.

Wednesday’s victory helped maintain the Wild’s chances of earning the eighth and final Western Conference post-season berth.

New York got goals from Bruno Gervais (3) in the first and Andy Hilbert (11) in the third.

Netminder Yann Danis was beaten six times on 28 shots in the Isles’ fourth loss in five outings.