ST. PAUL, Minn. - Brent Burns scored three goals and the Minnesota Wild beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Sunday in the pre-season finale for both teams.
The Wild will host Chicago in the regular-season opener on Thursday and both clubs appeared ready to face off in a game that counts.
There were several skirmishes, and Minnesota's Derek Boogaard fought David Koci early in the second period. Martin Lapointe and the Wild's Dominic Moore dropped their gloves late in the third.
Mikko Koivu scored in the first period, and Pavol Demitra added an empty-netter to seal the win for the Wild. Patrick Sharp and Lapointe scored for Chicago.
Earlier in the week, the Blackhawks (3-4-1) shored up their defence by signing veterans Karel Pilar and Brent Sopel. That means that Cam Barker, the third overall selection in the 2004 draft, will likely be sent to Rockford of the AHL before the opener.