ST. PAUL, Minn. -- On a night when the Detroit Red Wings turned in one of their best defensive performances of the season they lost one of their top offensive players this season.

scored his team-leading 16th goal Sunday in the first period. It proved to be the game-winner in Detroit’s 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center.

But Cleary suffered a fractured left ankle in the third period when he was hit by teammate

shot. He will be out at least four weeks.

”I was hoping (it was) a bad bruise,’’ Cleary, who was limping badly after the game, said. “I didn’t know what was going on. It was sore. I knew after the game something was wrong.’’

Cleary took a couple of shifts after getting hit, not realizing the damage that was done. X-rays showed that it’s a non-displaced fracture that won’t require surgery. He’ll be put in a walking cast and will remain with the team for the rest of the three-game road trip.

It’s a crushing blow for Cleary, who was well on his way to his best season.

”I’m real upset about it,’’ Cleary said. “(After) 4-5 weeks, make sure I get back to playing the way I was.’’

The injury put a damper on an excellent effort by the Red Wings, who already were missing forwards

(broken hand) and

(lacerated wrist). Detroit gave Minnesota little room to skate, few opportunities to possess the puck and hardly any scoring chances, outshooting the Wild 27-17.

had a goal and an assist.

and

also scored.

had two assists.

Brent Burns spoiled

shutout bid by scoring a power-play goal with 3:40 remaining in the third period.

”We kept them on the outside pretty good, we were committed that way,’’ coach

said. “We haven’t been as good defensively in the last 10 games. We have to tighten up in that area.’’

The Red Wings’ penalty killing had faltered in recent games, allowing eight goals in 24 chances. But it was solid against a Wild club that had the fifth-best power-play percentage in the league. Minnesota went 1 for 6 on the man-advantage, managing only five shots on goal.

”We played solid throughout all areas of the game,’’ Lidstrom said. “We played well with the puck in the offensive zone; positionally, in the neutral zone, we didn’t give them a whole lot.’’

The Red Wings scored twice in the second period to take command with a 4-0 lead.

When Kronwall shoveled the puck at the net from the point, Draper tipped it in at 5:30. It was Draper’s first goal in 30 games, dating back to Feb. 9 of last season.

Holmstrom scored a nifty power-play goal at 13:50. He was tied up in front of the net by Matt Cullen but managed to backhand the rebound of a shot by Zetterberg past goalie Niklas Backstrom. Holmstrom had his back to the goal and even broke his stick on the play.

”We had sticks around the net all night, we deflected them outside,’’ Howard said. “Guys did a great job cutting off lanes, not letting them pass across the slot.’’

The Red Wings dominated the first period, outshooting the Wild 13-4 and jumping out to a 2-0 lead.

Zetterberg scored at 4:38 by banking in a shot off Backstrom’s rear from the side of the net. Zetterberg won an offensive-zone faceoff to set up the play that resulted in his 13th goal.

Cleary scored at 8:59. Stationed at the goal line, he one-timed a pass from Valtteri Filppula, whipping a hard wrist shot that managed to find a small space between Backstrom’s skate and the goal post.

Cleary already has one more goal than he scored in 64 games last season.

”We threw the puck to the net, got a couple of bad-angle goals,’’ Babcock said. “It was a pretty complete game. It was too bad we gave up the power-play goal at the end. That’s life. But a good game and a good start for this next (stretch) of eight out of 10 on the road.’’