Niklas Backstrom won his first game after New Year's as the Minnesota Wild squeaked by the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. A combination of injuries and inconsistent play make this his first victory since Dec. 29. Backstrom is back above .500 with a 13-12-4 record. His individual numbers are much better, however, as he has a .921 save percentage and 2.43 GAA.

Niklas Backstrom allowed four goals on 33 shots in Minnesota's 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night. Backstrom is having a good season, but he's been shaky lately and his record has slipped to 12-12-4. 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 Finnish netminder is not a very athletic/reflex goaltender but there is no question his preparation, angles and rebound control are first-rate. He should still be viewed as a very good second goalie in 12-team leagues.

Niklas Backstrom will start for Minnesota on Thursday night in Toronto. The Wild netminder lost six pounds because of a stomach virus and this will mark his first contest since Jan. 7.

Niklas Backstrom is sick and consequently will not be the Wild's starting or backup goaltender on Saturday. The Wild will have two days off after this contest, so Backstrom has a bit of time to recover before he's in danger of missing another start. Backstrom is having a great season, but he's been shaky lately, allowing three or more goals in each of his last six starts.

Niklas Backstrom kicked away 33 shots, but it wasn't enough as the Minnesota Wild fell to the Calgary Flames on Saturday night 3-1. All three goals were given up in the third period in a matter of 9 minutes, 13 seconds. Minnesota has one win in its last 12 games. Backstrom's record has slipped to 12-11-4, but his goals-against average (2.39) and save percentage (.923) remain very solid.

Niklas Backstrom stopped 26 of 29 shots in a 4-2 defeat Saturday. Backstrom has now lost seven of his last eight starts, giving him a 12-10-4 record this season. He had a 2.86 GAA and .908 save percentage in the month of December.

Niklas Backstrom made 27 saves in a 4-3 victory over Edmonton on Thursday night. The win ended a six-game winless slide for the Minnesota goaltender. Backstrom had lost his past three games in regulation, while allowing four goals each time, prior to dropping two straight matches in shootouts and another in regulation.

Niklas Backstrom is expected to get the start in goal for Minnesota Thursday. It's the second game of a back-to-back for the Wild who lost 2-1 to Nashville on Wednesday with Josh Harding in goal. Backstrom will try and stop the Wild' 0-6-2 losing streak. He is 11-9-4 with a 2.31 GAA and a .925 save percentage this season and is a very good second goalie in pools.

Niklas Backstrom made 28 saves on 32 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night. The Minnesota Wild took the lead in the first period only to watch the Avalanche storm back in the second. Colorado then took the lead late in the 3rd period and never looked back, dropping Backstrom to 11-9-4 on the season. Backstrom will have to be patient as he attempts to snap the loosing streak.

Niklas Backstrom gave up four goals in the Minnesota Wild's 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. Backstrom set aside 27 shots in the loss. The goalie has now given up four goals in back-to-back contests and has not won since Dec. 10, a span of five games. The Wild were sluggish at the start, allowing 20 shots in the first period (two goals) and just 11 the rest of the way. Backstrom has an 11-8-4 record with a 2.23 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. Right now, he's a product of a team that can't seem to find a way to climb out of its first real losing streak (six games) of the season.