NHL: Minnesota 3, Colorado 1

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 17 (UPI) -- Brent Burns' goal and assist, and Niklas Backstrom's 29 saves Monday paced the Minnesota Wild's 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Branko Radivojevic and Stephane Veilleux also scored for the Wild, who have won two straight after a five-game losing streak.

The Wild has 86 points and have moved ahead of the Avalanche for the lead in the NHL Northwest Division.

Joe Sakic scored Colorado's only goal. Jose Theodore stopped 26 of 28 shots for the Avalanche, who have lost three of their last five games.

Peter Forsberg returned after missing four games due to a groin injury, while Adam Foote was also back in the lineup after missing four of the previous five games with a hip ailment.