Atlanta's Johan Hedberg denied Mikko Koivu, Brent Burns and Brian Rolston in the shootout after stopping 37 shots in regulation and the overtime. It was the Thrashers' first win since February 15th at New Jersey.
Colby Armstrong and Ilya Kovalchuk each scored in the final six minutes as the Thrashers overcame deficits of 1-0 and 2-1. Kovalchuk scored with only 44.9 seconds left in regulation to force the overtime.
Rolston also scored in regulation for Minnesota, which began the night tied for first place in the Northwest but suffered its first loss in seven games against Atlanta. The Wild made their first visit to Atlanta since March 9th, 2003.
Burns scored a power-play goal with 2:22 left in the third period to give Minnesota a 2-1 lead, but Kovalchuk answered with his goal after Thrashers coach Don Waddell pulled Hedberg.
Rolston scored the power-play goal on a wrister from the right circle only 40 seconds into the two-man advantage 10:47 into the period for the 1-0 lead.
The Wild still led 1-0 with only 5:30 left in the third period when Nicklas Backstrom stopped a power-play shot by Kovalchuk, but Armstrong scored on the put-back. The goal was Armstrong's first since he was traded on February 26th trade to Atlanta in the deal that sent Marian Hossa to Pittsburgh. Christensen also was acquired in that deal.
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