Niklas Backstrom had a night he'd like to forget after making only 14 saves in Minnesota's 4-2 loss to the Avalanche on Saturday night. He gave up three goals on 17 shots, with the last goal coming via the empty net. Backstrom had put together three straight excellent starts -- al wins -- prior to this one. He has a 3.02 goals-against average and .899 save percentage this season.