Niklas Backstrom stopped 30 shots and allowed only one goal, but lost to Chicago on Tuesday night. The Wild couldn't beat Backstrom's counterpart, Ray Emery, on any of the 20 shots they took. Backstrom was coming off a 24-save blanking of Columbus on Sunday, but he has lost four of his past five outings.

Niklas Backstrom expected to start Tuesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. Backstrom was outstanding in a 3-0 shutout of the Blue Jackets on Sunday but the Blackhawks present a bit tougher opponent. Backstrom has started one game and appeared in another against Chicago this season, going 1-1-0 with a 3.07 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

Niklas Backstrom kicked out all 24 Blue Jackets shots in a 3-0 victory Sunday. What a way to bounce back from a terrible outing on Thursday. Backstrom allowed two goals on as many shots before being yanked from that contest. This was his second shutout and 20th victory of the season.

Niklas Backstrom allowed two goals on two shots before being replaced in the Minnesota Wild's 3-0 loss to the Kings in Los Angeles Thursday night. Backstrom has lost three consecutive games. He was replaced Thursday by Darcy Kuemper, who surrendered only one goal on 12 shots. So the Kings took only 14 shots on net, but that was plenty on a night when the Wild wasn't scoring. It was the second time Backstrom was pulled from a game this season and the first since March 5, when he gave up four goals on 17 shots in the first period in a loss at Chicago. It was Kuemper's first appearance since he relieved him in that game.

Niklas Backstrom lost his second consecutive game as the Minnesota Wild fell to the San Jose Sharks 4-2 on Wednesday. Backstrom's overall numbers are still quite nice, all things considered. The pending unrestricted free agent is 19-9-2 with a .913 save percentage and 2.45 GAA. He hasn't been lights out lately, but Minnesota's been scoring enough to give him nice win totals.

Niklas Backstrom made 24 saves in the Wild's 4-1 loss to the Blues on Monday night. Well, the winning streak is over for Minnesota's number one goalie. A fixture in the Wild net since 2006-07, Backstrom is entering the final year of his contract. As long as the Finnish netminder is healthy, owners should expect solid, consistent production and a majority of the team's starts for the rest of the season.

Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom picked up his 19th win of the season in Saturday's defeat of Los Angeles. With eight consecutive victories, Backstrom now stands atop the NHL with 19, one ahead of Marc-Andre Fleury and two clear of Carey Price. This recent win came after Backstrom stayed behind in Minnesota while the team traveled to Dallas Friday. "I don't know if you can call that a rest," Backstrom joked. "It was relaxing. On the other hand, the coaches give you a day off, you have to come back and step up."

Niklas Backstrom made 28 saves in the Wild's 4-3 shootout victory against the Kings on Saturday night. Backstrom is on quite a run right now, with eight wins in a row. With 44 points, Minnesota continues to make its run up the West standings. Backstrom is a strong number-one option, as he has a 2.32 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.

For the first time in 13 games, Niklas Backstrom wasn't between the pipes for the Wild Friday but the team can't wait to have him back in net today. The Wild left Backstrom at home to rest Friday in Dallas. Turned out to be a rough night for goalie Matt Hackett, who made his Wild debut in a 5-3 loss to the Stars. Backstrom is tied for the NHL lead with 18 wins (the next win matches his total from last season) and is 15-3-1 in 19 games since Feb. 9.

Niklas Backstrom was left behind in Minnesota when the team headed to Dallas for Friday night's contest. Backstrom has started 16 of the team's last 17 games and the past 12 straight, so he'll get a breather. Darcy Kuemper or Matthew Hackett will start versus the Stars and it is assumed that Backstrom will be back in goal for Saturday's home match-up against Los Angeles.