Niklas Backstrom will get his second start of the season Tuesday night against the Nashville Predators. Backstrom stopped 25 of 27 shots in a season-opening win Saturday night. He'll get the majority of the starts in net for Minnesota this season, although backup Josh Harding may play more than usual because of the compact schedule.

Niklas Backstrom stopped 25 of 27 shots in the Wild's 4-2 season opening win over Colorado Saturday night. Backstrom kept Colorado's talented forwards from getting anything going the entire night. Both Avalanche goals came from their bottom-6 forward lines, and the Wild killed off both of the penalties they took in this strong defensive performance.

Niklas Backstrom, who is entering the final year of his contract with Minnesota, will be the Wild's starting goalie when the team begins its regular season against the Colorado Avalanche tonight. Backstrom is 20-5-2 all-time vs. Colorado. Semyon Varlamov, Colorado's starting goalie, has a career record of 4-2 against the Wild.

A fixture in the Minnesota Wild net since 2006-07, Niklas Backstrom is entering the final year of his contract and, unless the team does something between now and the end of the season, the goalie will become a free agent. He says it is not something he thinks about. He just shrugs and says he doesn't know what the organization is thinking. "I have no idea," he said. "You know what? Maybe it's because of the lockout or whatever but I haven't thought about next year. I was only worried about this year and if we were going to play hockey or not. Especially with the lockout, every day was really long. It's not my first time. It's part of the game and it's something you learn during the years playing hockey or you learn in life. It's just not good for you to worry about things that are out of your control."

Niklas Backstrom is excited to get back to playing in the NHL. Backstrom was supposed to play for Dynamo Minsk in the KHL but re-injured an old ankle injury and returned home to Minnesota. "I don't know how long it's been since our last game -- eight months or something like that -- you're relieved, you're happy and excited all at the same time," goalie Niklas Backstrom said. "It feels almost like your first hockey game all over again." Backstom is now 100 percent and ready to lead the Wild to a potential playoff spot.

Niklas Backstrom is with Dynamo Minsk, undergoing medical tests on his injured ankle. If he passes then he will likely be cleared to sign with the KHL team, but if he can't then sports director Igor Matushkin appears to have a backup plan in place. "If Niklas Backstrom is not able to take part in matches from the very start then another goaltender will join our team," Matushkin said. "I can only say now that he is a goaltender from the top level of the NHL. Regarding his name, I think I'll be able to answer you tomorrow."

Niklas Backstrom aggravated an existing ankle injury while participating in a lockout skate. Backstrom reportedly rolled his ankle a few weeks ago while training, which is evidently the original source of the problem. The good news is it's not the ankle he had an operation on and the ailment isn't believed to be major. However, it appears to have delayed his signing with the KHL's Dynamo Minsk for now.

Niklas Backstrom is close to signing with Dynamo Minsk of the KHL. He said the situation was "up in the air" with Minsk, but something could be worked out if his insurance and work visa issues are resolved. The Minnesota goalie wants to get a contract somewhere to play because he doesn't want to miss out on spots by waiting.

Niklas Backstrom has a no-trade clause after ranking 13th in save percentage in 2011-12. Backstrom gets the no-trade clause if he finishes in the top 15 in save percentage, GAA, or wins in 2010-11 and/or 2011-12. Minnesota has already stated that they don't want to trade Backstrom, but even if they change their minds, they'd need his permission.

Despite Josh Harding's new three-year contract the Wild have no interest in moving Niklas Backstrom. "We have no interest in trading Backstrom. None," GM Chuck Fletcher said. "When we were on top of the league [in the first 30 games] last year, a big part of the reason was our goaltending tandem. There's no reason for us to want to change that up. Why not bring them back? The future will be the future. Everything work itself out. When Josh indicated he was willing to stay, we worked quickly to get it done." Backstrom's contract is up at the end of the 2012-13 season and he has struggled with injury the past couple of years, but he is capable option between the pipes when he's healthy.