Backstrom gave up six goals on 35 shots in Monday's 7-2 loss to Pittsburgh. He was replaced in the third period by John Curry. Despite the poor outing, head coach Mike Yeo said Backstrom will start Thursday against Buffalo, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Backstrom didn't get much help from the defense in front of him, but he didn't respond well and missed some save chances. With Darcy Kuemper out with a lower body injury, Josh Harding out indifinetely with a multiple sclerosis setback and Yeo not having much confidence in Curry, it looks like Backstrom will get several more starts to work his way out of a slump (three or more goals allowed in ten consecutive starts).