Niklas Backstrom will play between the pipes against Dallas on Friday. Backstrom has a 2.30 GAA and .926 save percentage in 38 games this season. He'll be going for his third straight victory.

Niklas Backstrom has stopped 87 of 89 shots in his last two games. Backstrom has been outstanding in the last week as the Wild have knocked off the Panthers and Bruins. He is 16-15-6 this season with a 2.30 GAA and a .926 save percentage. Needless to say, he is worth owning in all fantasy pools that use goaltending stats.

Niklas Backstrom allowed only two goals on 43 shots in the Wild's 3-2 shootout win over the Panthers Thursday night. Backstrom is having a solid season in Minnesota and is now sporting a winning record of 16-15-6 on the season with the win tonight. The Wild have struggled to generate offense for much of the year and like most goalies in the NHL, the Finnish netminder needs consistency from the players in front of him to be an elite goaltender. He should still be viewed as a very good second goalie in 12-team leagues because of his solid peripherals.

Niklas Backstrom was the difference-maker as the Minnesota Wild shut out the Boston Bruins 2-0 on Sunday. It looked an awful lot like the Wild from the first part of 2011-12, as the team was out-played but scored just enough to win thanks to outstanding goaltending. Backstrom stopped all 48 of the Bruins shots to steal a win for a team that needed those two points very badly.

Look for Niklas Backstrom to get the start Sunday against the Bruins. He apparently has never lost to Boston. We suspect that streak may end Sunday.

Niklas Backstrom allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Wild's 4-2 shootout loss to the Jets Thursday night. Backstrom is having a good season, but he's been shaky lately and his record has slipped to 14-15-6 with the shootout loss tonight. However, his peripherals are still solid. Backstrom is a very structured, calm and mentally tough goaltender that needs consistency from the players in front of him to be an elite goaltender in the NHL. The Wild have struggled to generate offense for much of the year and he has been the hard-luck loser on many occasions. He should still be viewed as a very good second goalie in 12-team leagues.

Niklas Backstrom suffered his fourth straight loss as the Minnesota Wild dropped the 3-1 decision to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. Backstrom faced only 18 shots and made 16 saves. That's just not going to get it done, especially for a team that has to scratched and claw for every goal. In his last three starts, the netminder has allowed nine goals -- six coming in his last two on 37 shots. He has a 14-15-5 record with a 2.37 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.

Niklas Backstrom stopped 34 of 37 shots Tuesday night, but the Wild were beaten by Columbus by a score of 3-1. Backstrom has played rather well on the season, but his 14-13-5 record doesn't do it justice. The Wild have struggled to generate offense for much of the year and he has been the hard-luck loser on many occasions.

Niklas Backstrom was the hard-luck loser in Saturday night's contest against Dallas. He turned aside 25 of 26 Stars; shots but was saddled with the 2-1 loss as he allowed Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson to beat him in the shootout.

Niklas Backstrom saved all 37 shots he faced in a 1-0 victory Thursday. It was Backstrom's third shutout of the season and the 25th of his career. Josh Harding's solid play this season has eaten into Backstrom's playing time and that might prevent Backstrom from reaching the 25-win mark for the fourth time in his career.