RANGERS 3, WILD 2: Ryan McDonagh, a St. Paul, Minn., native, recorded two assists, including setting up Ruslan Fedotenko’s game winner, as visiting New York won for the fourth time in the last five games.

McDonagh’s centering pass found the stick of Fedotenko, who fired the puck past a sprawling Josh Harding to give New York a 3-2 lead at 13:37 of the third period.

The Rangers, who increased their lead over Pittsburgh to three points, picked up their second win on their three-game road trip and handed the Wild their third straight loss.

The Rangers opened scoring when Brian Boyle found the puck during a scramble in front of the Minnesota goal at 11:23 of the first period.

The Wild answered on the power play when Kyle Brodziak knocked in the rebound off Cal Clutterbuck’s shot three minutes into the second period.

Brad Richards’ slick backhand pass found Marian Gaborik, who buried his 38th goal of the season to put New York ahead 2-1 at 7:58 of the second period. Gaborik has scored three goals in the last two games.

Mikko Koivu blasted a one-time pass from Dany Heatley to tie the score 2-2 on the power play with just over eight minutes left in the middle period.

Minnesota pressed in the third period but couldn’t crack Henrik Lundqvist, who turned away two rapid rebound attempts midway through the third period – two of 24 saves for his 36th win of the season.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Gaborik is two goals shy of his third career 40-goal season. … Minnesota finished 2 for 2 on the power play. … The Wild have split wins and losses in their last eight with New York. …The Rangers outhit Minnesota 30-12.