Nick Seeler's brutal fight vs. Luke Witkowski turns around Wild in 4-1 win vs. Red Wings

Say what you want about fighting in the NHL, but sometimes it can help turn around a game.

Take Sunday night as a case in a point.

The Minnesota Wild were coming off back-to-back losses, including a 7-1 rout by the Colorado Avalanche, and were trailing the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 in the second period.

Then Minnesota rookie Nick Seeler stepped up and dropped the gloves with Detroit's Luke Witkowski (sixth fight this season, 13th overall in the NHL) on a delayed penalty call.

It was a brutal, old-fashioned fight, with the two throwing so many punches that they were exhausted.

The Wild ended up with a power play on David Booth's hooking call, and Eric Staal scored. Then Zach Parise had a goal less than three minutes later and the Wild were leading and looking more confident, even goalie Devyn Dubnyk, who has been pulled in his previous game.

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Minnesota later got two goals from Jason Zucker in the third period to win 4-1 and strengthen its hold on a playoff spot.