The Anaheim Ducks continued their bad run of form with a fourth straight defeat, last season's Stanley Cup winners going down 5-1 to the Minnesota Wild as both teams returned from the All-Star Break.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Brian Rolston each had a goal and an assist for the in-form Wild, who have won three of the last four games and six of the last nine.

After a scoreless first period, Rolston, Marian Gaborik and Mikko Koivu scored two minutes apart early in the second to give the home team a decisive lead against a shaky Jean-Sebastien Giguere in goal for the Ducks.

Giguere was withdrawn after the third goal in favor of Jonas Hiller, who allowed the final two Wild goals.

James Sheppard scored the other goal for Minnesota, while Niklas Backstom made 20 saves as the Wild out-shot the Ducks 23-21.

Corey Perry scored the lone goal for the Ducks, who have scored just five goals in the four losses, the poor run coming after a six-game winning streak.

Minnesota moved one point ahead of fifth-placed Anaheim in the overall Western Conference standings, with the defending champions now just four points clear of the final play-off spot.

Nicklas Lidstrom sparked a third period comeback as the high-flying Detroit Red Wings rallied past the Phoenix Coyotes 3-2, stretching their winning streak to five games.

Trailing 2-1 midway through the final period, Lidstrom, a five-time Norris trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman, showcased his offensive skills.

He set up the tying goal and notching the game winner with a blast from the point that found its way through a crowd in front of Phoenix netminder Ilya Bryzgalov.

Henrik Zetterberg, forced out of Sunday's All-Star game due to a sore back, appeared to have benefited from the rest, notching his 29th of the season just four minutes into the first period to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

The Wings survived nicely without their leading scorer, riding a four-game winning streak into Wednesday's contest, but the Swede's injury remains a source of concern since he also missed five games earlier in the season with back problems.

The Coyotes answered at the 9:57 mark of the opening frame, Martin Hanzal intercepting Niklas Kronvall's clearing pass and ripping a shot past Chris Osgood.

Ed Jovanovski's rocket from just inside the blue line then beat Osgood to push Phoenix 2-1 ahead.

The Red Wings levelled midway through the third period when Lidstrom's shot from the point ricocheted off Tomas Holmstrom's leg past a helpless Bryzgalov.

The Atlanta Thrashers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it may have been a costly one. Ilya Kovalchuk scored his 38th goal of the season but left the game with a knee injury.

Ryan Miller made 32 saves for his second shutout of the season as the Buffalo Sabres blanked the Florida Panthers 1-0 for their second win in as many nights since the All-Star break.

Marek Svatos scored a pair of goals as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3.

The Calgary Flames won their first game after a week-long All-Star break lay-off, as Owen Nolan scored three goals in a 5-4 win over the San Jose Sharks.

Reuters