Zucker’s first NHL goal a Wild one

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have had to work harder to generate offense this season. That’s what made Jason Zucker zooming past everybody for a highlight-reel goal such a welcome sight.

Zucker, a 21-year-old from Las Vegas, scored his first NHL goal to tie the game, and the Wild went on a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.

Dany Heatley, Zucker and Torrey Mitchell all scored in the second period to rally the Wild, who hadn’t won in regulation since Jan. 29. The game marked only the second time in nine games they have scored at least three goals in regulation.

Much of the credit goes to Zucker, a left wing called up Saturday from Houston of the American Hockey League. The 2010 second-round draft pick was among the AHL leaders with 19 goals and 22 assists in 47 games.

The Wild called him up to fortify a struggling offense and a roster that has been struck by illness. Zucker wasted little time contributing.

With Minnesota trailing 2-1, Zucker carried the puck out of his own zone along the right boards, breaking free with a slick move against Valtteri Filppula He blazed past Detroit right wing Mikael Samuelsson, skated in alone on rookie goaltender Petr Mrazek and scored unassisted at 13:13.

“For me, I skate fast and I try to get the puck on net,” Zucker said. “That’s what I do.”

Zucker, who was leading the AHL with 175 shots on goal, said of his shoot-first mentality: “I’m not exactly a passer. I’m trying to get the puck on net and limit my passing.”

Mitchell scored his first goal in a Wild uniform off a faceoff scrum to give Minnesota the lead 30 seconds later.

Zucker made his NHL debut late last season, notching two assists in six games after leaving the University of Denver after his second season.

Zucker’s call-up to Minnesota wasn’t much of a surprise. He was the AHL’s second-leading rookie scorer and had a goal and assist in the AHL All-Star Game on Jan. 28 in Providence, R.I.

During the All-Star skills competition, Zucker broke an 18-year-old record for the fastest lap (13.5 seconds).

“He’s got world-class speed. Not many guys can catch him,” said Wild rookie goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who got his first NHL victory with 29 saves in place of ill starter Niklas Backstrom.

Damien Brunner and Pavel Datsyuk scored for Detroit, which has lost three straight for the first time since March 10 to 21 last season.

“Right now, we’re taking on water,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said.