Niklas Backstrom made 34 saves and the Minnesota Wild won on the road for the first time this season, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Saturday night. Kyle Brodziak and Eric Belanger scored in the first period for the Wild, who avoided being the first NHL team in 17 years to start 0-9 on...

Mikael Samuelsson scored the go-ahead goal on a power play rebound 3:49 into the third period to lead the Vancouver Canucks to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. The Canucks outshot Minnesota 39-18 but struggled to beat Niklas Backstrom until Alex Burrows jam play in...

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ANALYZING THE GOALIES: Armed with a four-year deal paying him $6 million annually and a no-trade clause, Niklas Backstrom, a Vezina Trophy candidate who was the only NHL goalie to be top-five in the top goalie categories last season, is the Wild's bona fide No. 1. However, backup Josh Hardi...

He also has performed surgery on Alex Rodriguez, Kurt Warner and Minnesota Wild All-Star goalie Niklas Backstrom. There is no timetable for Gordon's return to the Royals, but he expects to begin throwing by the end of next week. ...

Joining Thomas in the top three, as voted on by the league's general managers, is Minnesota Wild veteran Niklas Backstrom and Columbus Blue Jackets rookie Steve Mason. The winner will be announced on June 18 at the league's awards gala in Las Vegas. ...

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 ND NEW YORK (AP) Niklas Backstrom of the Minnesota Wild, Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins are the finalists for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender. The winner will be announced at the NHL awards show ...

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By Associated Press Niklas Backstrom of the Minnesota Wild, Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins are the finalists for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender.

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 VA In other NHL news: Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom could be practicing at full speed in 12 weeks after surgery on his left hip turned up less damage than expected. Backstrom started 71 of 82 games and went 37-24-8. His .923 save percentage ...

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 Canada Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom underwent successful surgery on his left hip on Friday. The procedure, which was performed in Vail, Colorado by Dr. Marc Philippon, corrected a labral deficiency. Cartilage damage was less than believed, ...

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Risebrough says he was "shocked" by owner Craig Leipold's decision, but he understands and looks forward to his next job in the NHL. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) It's left hip surgery for Minnesota Wild All-Star goalie Niklas Backstrom. ... Risebrough was 'shocked' at firing Edmonton Sun

Minnesota Wild All-Star goalie Niklas Backstrom will have surgery on his left hip. The operation will be performed Friday in Vail, Colo., by Dr. Marc Philippon. He's the same surgeon who operated on the hip of New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez in March. Backstrom started 71 of 82 games and we...

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By Associated Press Minnesota Wild All-Star goalie Niklas Backstrom will have surgery on his left hip.

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Thanks to a beautiful play by Marian Gaborik they found themselves up 1-0 after the first, even while being outshot 13-6. Niklas Backstrom kept the team in the game by shutting the door when the Stars got shots, but the defense was outstanding, ...

Backstrom ended with 41 saves. Cal Clutterbuck scored once in defeat and assisted on Marian Gaborik's goal as well. Gaborik has scored in each of his last four games and has 10 goals and 15 points in 14 games this year. He has scored in six of his last ...

Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild. The re-signing of Niklas Backstrom in February has cast Harding's future with the Wild into question. He appears ready to step up and play more but barring injury to Backstrom he's not going to get that opportunity with the Wild. It's quite possible he could be d...

Niklas Backstrom made 27 saves for his eighth shutout of the season to help Minnesota blank the Flames, 4-0, at Xcel Energy Center. Marian Gaborik, Owen Nolan, Andrew Brunette and Cal Clutterbuck each had a goal for the Wild, who have alternated wins ...

Niklas Backstrom made 27 saves as the Minnesota Wild doused the Calgary Flames with a 4-0 victory. Andrew Brunette, Cal Clutterbuck and Owen Nolan scored in the first period for the Wild while Marian Gaborik rounded off the scoring in the third. ...

  Canada By Brad Ziemer, Vancouver SunMarch 31, 2009Comments (12) Vancouver Canucks' Alexander Edler, Ryan Kesler, Pavol Demitra and Mattias Ohlund (LR) celebrate after Kesler scored in the second period on Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom during NHL ...

  Canada By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary HeraldMarch 29, 2009Comments (3) Calgary Flames forward Olli Jokinen drives the net Saturday night as Minnesota Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom keeps watch. The first goal of the power play was waved off because Curtis ...

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St. Paul, MN (Sports Network) - Owen Nolan scored twice and Niklas Backstrom recorded his seventh shutout this season, as the Minnesota Wild topped the Edmonton Oilers, 3-0. The Wild picked up crucial ground in the Western Conference playoff race, ... Flyers cool off Penguins Boston Herald

By 42 minutes ago Minnesota Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom watches the puck deflect off his glove during Minnesota's game against the Edmonton Oilers in the second period of an NHL hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center...   Expand »

The New York Rangers as expected claimed controversial forward Sean Avery off re-entry waivers from the Dallas Stars. He was awarded the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award (Best save percentage) and the William M. Jennings Trophy (Lowest goals-against) in the 2006-07 season.

 Canada I had a bunch of shots," said Van der Gulik, who launched a half-dozen attempts at Minnesota Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom during 9:19 of icetime. "I was trying to get it to the net. With (linemates Eric) Nystrom and (Brandon) Prust, we know we're ...

 NY This summer, the Minnesota Wild could prove that even highly-placed front office executives can fail to learn the simplest lessons. Goaltender Niklas Backstrom's two-year deal expires after the season, and he still hasn't been re-signed. ...

By Ross McKeon The 30-year-old Finnish goalie had all the answers on Tuesday night. Backstrom stopped all 28 shots the Bruins fired his way to make one goal stand up for a 1-0 victory on the road. This wasn't any old shutout. Backstrom handed the league's top-scoring team its first blanking of the season, an...

By Ross McKeon The 30-year-old Finnish goalie had all the answers on Tuesday night. Backstrom stopped all 28 shots the Bruins fired his way to make one goal stand up for a 1-0 victory on the road. This wasn't any old shutout. Backstrom handed the league's top-scoring team its first blanking of the season, an...

By Greg Wyshynski • Dave Pagnotta and I discussed this over on TFP's radio show this afternoon, and Mirtle agrees: The Minnesota Wild might be better off letting Niklas Backstrom walk, keeping Josh Harding and spending well-saved money elsewhere. [From the Rink]

By Greg Wyshynski • Dave Pagnotta and I discussed this over on TFP's radio show this afternoon, and Mirtle agrees: The Minnesota Wild might be better off letting Niklas Backstrom walk, keeping Josh Harding and spending well-saved money elsewhere. [From the Rink]

By Matt Romig There really wasn't much ugly and obnoxious about Minnesota's 2-0 win in Denver on Sunday. First-hand accounts had the Wild directing 66 shots toward Avs goalie Peter Budaj (37 on target) and exposing Backstrom to 33 on the other end. Minnesota's goalie was perfect on the night in recordin...

By Matt Romig There really wasn't much ugly and obnoxious about Minnesota's 2-0 win in Denver on Sunday. First-hand accounts had the Wild directing 66 shots toward Avs goalie Peter Budaj (37 on target) and exposing Backstrom to 33 on the other end. Minnesota's goalie was perfect on the night in recordin...

By Dave Nichols Washington's comeback started at 14:43 of the third when Matt Bradley slid a backhanded shot, his third of the season, past Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom. Alex Ovechkin notched his ninth a minute later utilizing his patented delay shot, using a Minnesota defender to screen the normally r...

Niklas Backstrom stopped 24 shots in the loss for the Wild, who had a three- game winning streak stopped. Backstrom still has great numbers at home, going 5-1-1 with a 2.12 goals against average in seven games at Xcel Energy Center this year. Overall, he is 11-4-1 with a 1.99 GAA in 16 games this y...

By Ross McKeon To say Niklas Backstrom has the Phoenix Coyotes' number is putting it mildly. The 30-year-old Finn improved to 8-0 in his career against Phoenix with a 24-save shutout victory. The Wild rode their goalie and four power-play goals to a ninth straight victory over the Coyotes. Backstrom didn...

By Sean Leahy Whatever happens to both Gaborik and Backstrom, this is a very important season for the Wild franchise. They have their superstar player and superstar goaltender both on the verge of big raises. Minnesota has $37 million committed for next season, but with eight soon-to-be unrestricted...

By Andy Bensch A little more than two minutes later, Clowe fired a wrister that was blocked right back to him; he re-loaded and fired a shot past Niklas Backstrom on the short side.  If it wasn't obvious that Tuesday was the Ryane Clowe show, it would become so four minutes later.

By Derek Felska 2.  Niklas Backstrom - Niklas Backstrom made a huge effort this off-season to work on his game; especially on breakaways / shootouts and has returned with an immense level of focus.  Backstrom was tremendous in the pre-season posting 4 wins, including last night’s shutout.

By Theresa Ferries Minnesota Wild     (29-19-3)     61pts     1st in Northwest Division 1.  #10 Marian Gaborik ~ 26G 27A = 53pts 3.  #12 Brian Rolston ~ 18G 19A = 37pts 5.  #38 Pavol Demitra ~ 10G 21A = 31pts 1.  #32 Niklas Backstrom ~     (19-9-2)     2.48GAA     .915SV%

By PJ Swenson Evgeni Nabokov (16-9-4) finished with 36 saves on 37 shots to earn his 16th win of the season. Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom (13-6-1) finished with 26 saves on 30 shots. The Wild outshot the Sharks 37-30, but both teams were 1-3 with the man advantage. Minnesota right wing Mario...

Backstrom enjoying the Wild life  Canada - Feb 26, 2007 NEW YORK (Reuters) - At an age when most players are casting one eye toward retirement, Minnesota Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom is looking to make the ...

Late starter Backstrom enjoying the Wild life  UK - Feb 26, 2007 NEW YORK, Feb 26 (Reuters) - At an age when most players are casting one eye towards retirement, Minnesota Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom is looking to ...