Niklas Backstrom revealed that his lower body injury is a sports hernia. Backstrom will undergo surgery as a result. He suffered the injury during the pre-game warmups prior to Game 1 and missed the entire first round. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and he isn't a lock to be re-signed. At the age of 35, he might have a tough time finding a starting gig on the open market and may have to settle for a backup role that comes with a genuine opportunity to overthrow the established starter.

Niklas Backstrom (lower body) is not being rushed back into action because of the strong play of Josh Harding. Backstrom was injured in the pre-game warmups before Game 1 and while he has started to practice, he is still not well enough to back up Harding as Darcy Kuemper has the job. Backstrom may not see action in Game 4 as well as Harding has been stellar between the pipes.

Niklas Backstrom (lower body) participated in Minnesota's practice on Saturday. Backstrom said he's improved, but the Wild aren't saying if he'll play on Sunday. Harding has a 2.64 GAA and .929 save percentage in two starts against Chicago in Backstrom's absence.

Niklas Backstrom is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He was injured in the warmup Tuesday night and it doesn't look like he will be available to play by Friday in Game 2. If Backstrom can't play then Josh Harding will start again and Darcy Kuemper will dress as the backup.

Minnesota Wild coach Mike Yeo confirmed that Niklas Backstrom has a lower body injury. Backstrom was expected to start in the Wild's first-round opener on Tuesday, but he sustained the ailment during the warmups. "Pretty much getting ready to pull up the lineup and post the lineup and sure enough find out that he's not suited to go, so that was a bit of a curve ball to say the least," Yeo said. It's not clear if Backstrom is a possibility for Game 2.

Niklas Backstrom was forced to leave the ice during warmups with what appeared to be an injury. He reportedly hurt himself while reaching for rebound and it's not clear if he will be available to start Tuesday night against Chicago. If he can't play then Josh Harding could get the nod in his place in Game 1.

Niklas Backstrom will see playoff action for the first time since the 2007-08 season. It has been five years for the Wild and Backstrom, who is on the final year of his contract, is thrilled to be back in the post-season. "The past few years were really tough," Backstrom said. "But I didn't want to go somewhere else and chase a [Stanley] Cup. I wanted to be part of building a team into a playoff team and then a contender. And I wished, I hoped, this would be the team." Backstrom was 24-15-3 this season with a 2.48 GAA and a .909 save percentage. He hopes to get another contract with the Wild, the only NHL team he has played for.

Niklas Backstrom faced 30 shots and made 29 saves in Minnesota's playoff-clinching 3-1 win over the Avalanche on Saturday night. Backstrom has had a see-saw season, ending the year with a 2.48 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. He has a 3-8 career playoff record.

Despite a disastrous result Friday night, Nicklas Backstrom will be back in the Minnesota Wild net today when the team visits the Avalanche in Colorado for the regular-season finale. The Wild must win this game to qualify for the playoffs. Backstrom, after being yanked with 1:22 left in the first period (three goals on five shots) of Friday night's 6-1 home embarrassment at the hands of Edmonton, is 10-2-1 in his past 13 at Colorado with a 2.10 goals against average and .935 save percentage. Backstrom is 21-3-4 with a 1.84 goals against average and a .933 save percentage in starts after being pulled (non-injury) in his career, including 17-1-2 with a 1.67 goals against average and a .940 save percentage since March 26, 2008. The Wild needs Backstrom, who has been arguably overused beyond belief by the Wild, to step up big-time. Otherwise, this could be the last you see of Backstrom in a Wild uniform.

Niklas Backstrom allowed three goals on only five shots and was pulled in the Wild's 6-1 loss to the Oilers Friday night. With a playoff berth on the line, the Minnesota Wild just laid a big egg tonight. With the loss tonight, the Wild are leaving the playoff door open for the Red Wings and Blue Jackets. As for Backstrom, he has struggled to get in the win column at the worst possible time for his fantasy owners.