David Jones and Jason Zucker scored in regulation, and Devan Dubnyk made 31 saves for the Wild, who are one point behind idle Colorado for eighth in the West.
Carolina earned a point to keep its slim playoff hopes alive, losing in overtime for the third time in four games.
Goaltender Cam Ward made 30 saves for the Hurricanes. Chris Terry and Jordan Staal scored for Carolina, which entered play six points behind eighth-place Detroit in the East.
The victory was more than relief in the standings for Minnesotan — it was a welcome sight at home. The Wild won for just the third time in 14 home games at the Xcel Energy Center since Jan. 1.
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