Kessel, 35, skated in his 990th consecutive NHL contest, eclipsing Keith Yandle's mark to become the league's new ironman.
Colorado's Valeri Nichushkin scored a power-play goal in the first period and Logan O'Connor netted a short-handed goal in the opening minute of the third.
Dominik Kubalik recorded a goal and an assist for Detroit, and Dylan Larkin scored the other goal (the first of the game).
Brandon Duhaime added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who improved to 2-0-1 in the past three games.
Kings 4, Lightning 2Gabriel Vilardi tallied a goal and assist for Los Angeles in a win against visiting Tampa Bay.