Tue 1/22/13 11:20 PM

Niklas Backstrom allowed three goals on 26 shots in a 3-1 loss to Nashville Tuesday night. After two consecutive victories to start the season, this was the first defeat of the year for Minnesota, but the team continues to look like one of the stronger clubs in the Western Conference. This bodes well for Backstrom, who was likely not one of the first netminders selected in your draft.