Oilers tame Wild 3-2

ST. PAUL (AP) -- Despite a fast start and their place atop the Northwest Division, the Minnesota Wild still haven't beaten the Edmonton Oilers.

Minnesota's latest bit of frustration came when a pair of goals by Mike Comrie and 13 third-period saves by Tommy Salo helped Edmonton win 3-2 Tuesday night.

For the last-place Oilers, it was an exciting way to end a six-game road trip. The Oilers are 9-0-2 all-time against the Wild.

"We're coming together," Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish said. "We're starting to play the hockey we're capable of. And as you can see, the first goal remains critical for us."

Edmonton took an early lead when Comrie scored less than 2 minutes into the game. His second goal, early in the second period, gave the Oilers a 3-1 lead, and seemed to deflate the Wild.

"In a lot of games we've gotten down early, and that forces you to take chances," said Comrie, who leads Edmonton with eight goals. "We know how tough it is to be down early, so it was nice to have that advantage."

Minnesota got a goal from Andrew Brunette on its first shot of the game, and pulled within 3-2 on a power play goal early in the third, but could not close the gap.

"The first 10 minutes were not good, but once we got it going, we started playing like we could," Wild forward Cliff Ronning said. "We were generating shots and chances in the third period, but it wasn't enough."

Both teams' growing dislike for one another showed in the 46 minutes in penalties handed out by the officials. MacTavish thought the penalties kept his team from pulling away.

"What allowed the game to be as close as it was was the abundance of penalties we took," he said. "Guys start yapping and get chippy, and that's what happens."

Salo finished with 21 saves. Dwayne Roloson had 21 saves for the Wild, who have lost two in a row overall.

Edmonton 2 1 0 -- 3

Minnesota 1 0 1 -- 2

First Period--1, Edmonton, Comrie 7 (Carter), 1:44. 2, Minnesota, Brunette 7 (Ronning, Bombardir), 7:59. 3, Edmonton, Smith 2 (Horcoff, Cleary), 19:42. Penalties--Marshall, Min (ob.-hooking), 3:19; Comrie, Edm (tripping), 8:13; Walz, Min (slashing), 16:00.

Second Period--4, Edmonton, Comrie 8 (Smyth, Brewer), 2:36. Penalties--Comrie, Edm (hooking), 3:12; Smyth, Edm, minor-major (interference, fighting), 6:42; Marshall, Min, major (fighting), 6:42; Park, Min (interference), 8:02; Horcoff, Edm (ob.-hooking), 11:35; Chimera, Edm (boarding), 16:13; Dupuis, Min (interference), 18:15; Moreau, Edm, triple minor (double roughing, high-sticking), 19:59; Mitchell, Min (slashing), 19:59.

Third Period--5, Minnesota, Dupuis 5 (Zholtok, Ronning), 3:00 (pp). Penalties--Carter, Edm (hooking), 3:55; Marshall, Min (hooking), 4:29; Veilleux, Min (high-sticking), 14:06; Dupuis, Min (high-sticking), 17:54; Staios, Edm (interference), 19:32.

Shots on goal--Edmonton 11-8-5--24. Minnesota 5-4-14--23.

Power-play Opportunities--Edmonton 0 of 7; Minnesota 1 of 7.

Goalies--Edmonton, Salo 3-5-3 (23 shots-21 saves). Minnesota, Roloson 4-2-2 (24-21).