Niklas Backstrom News

Backstrom will start vs. the Wild on Saturday.

Backstrom allowed five goals on 22 shots after replacing Jones Hiller in the Flames blowout loss in Anaheim on March 30th. In his last two outings his has allowed a combined 11 goals on 51 shots (.784 SV%). Tonight he will face his former team for the second time—the first time was one of those two games, when he allowed six on 29.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom will start Thursday in Minnesota.

Backstrom stopped 21 of 22 shots in a win in Montreal in his Calgary Flames debut on Sunday. It was a strong outing for Backstrom, who was making his first start since January 13th, 2015. Tonight will be an ultra-special game for the 38-year-old, who will be making his return to Minnesota, where he played the first nine years of his NHL career. The Wild come in having won three in a row.

Niklas Backstrom
The Flames have acquired Niklas Backstrom and a 2016 sixth round pick from the Wild for David Jones.

Backstrom has not appeared in an NHL game this season and reportedly waived his no trade clause to go to Calgary in hope of playing an NHL game down the stretch. He was 5-7-3 with a 3.04 GAA and .887 SV% in 2014-15.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom will start vs. Pittsburgh.

Backstrom allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Wild’s 4-1 loss to Chicago on Sunday. He has lost three consecutive starts while posting a 3.34 GAA and .877 SV%. It is evident that this 36-year-old is at the tail-end of his career and he is a dangerous start tonight in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are 10th in scoring and Backstrom has an .889 SV% on the road.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom starts for the Wild.

Backstrom allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Wild’s 3-1 loss to the Predators last night. He will start his third straight game and for the second time in as many nights. He draws a rough matchup in Chicago0—he allowed three goals on 19 shots in a loss to the Hawks on Thursday.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom leads the Wild onto the ice for warmups.

Backstrom turned aside 16 of 19 shots in Minnesota’s loss to the Blackhawks on Thursday. With Darcy Kuemper on IR he will make his second straight start as he searches for his first win since December 13th. Including that win, he has a 3.60 GAA and .878 SV% in his last six appearances (4 starts).

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom will get the start on Thursday.

Backstrom allowed three goals on 14 shots after replacing Darcy Kuemper in the Wild’s 7-1 blowout loss to the Stars last Saturday. Backstrom has not won a game since December 13th—he has posted a 4.06 GAA and .879 SV% in three and a half games in that span.

Niklas Backstrom
The Wild have placed Niklas Backstrom (illness) on IR.

Darcy Kuemper was scheduled to start tonight’s game but he is also battling illness, so the Wild placed Backstrom on IR in order to recall John Curry, who will now start tonight’s game vs. Winnipeg.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom will not start on Tuesday due to an illness.

Backstrom was the Wild’s confirmed starter for tonight’s meeting with the Flyers, but he came down with an illness prior to warmups and will be replaced by Darcy Kuemper.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom gets the nod for the Wild.

Backstrom surrendered three goals on 30 shots in relief of Darcy Kuemper in the Wild’s 6-5 loss to the Predators on Saturday. Backstrom has given up at least three goals in his last five outings, posting an .880 SV% in the process. Tonight he will face a Flyers team who are averaging 3.50 goals per game in their last six games.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom is the Wild's probable starter.

Backstrom surrendered three goals on 30 shots in relief of Darcy Kuemper in the Wild’s 6-5 loss to the Predators on Saturday. Backstrom has given up at least three goals in his last five outings, posting an .880 SV% in the process. Tonight he would face a Flyers team who are averaging 3.50 goals per game in their last six games.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom will start for the Wild; John Curry will be backup.

Backstrom allowed four goals on 38 shots in the Wild’s loss to the Blackhawks last night. He was not the scheduled starter, but with Darcy Kuemper getting sick, he will start both games of the back-to-back set. Backstrom is 5-3-1 with 2.43 GAA and .903 SV% this series. He made 25 saves in a 4-3 win over the Bruins in October.

Niklas Backstrom
Coach Mike Yeo hopes Backstrom (illness) can start tonight; John Curry recalled as insurance.

Backstrom, who played last night for Darcy Kuemper (illness), could get back-to-back starts if he is well enough. Coach is expected to address the media at 6 PM ET, where he may announce if Backstrom is good-to-go. If not, we will have to wait for confirmation during warmups.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom (illness) may not be available on Wednesday.

Darcy Kuemper was the scheduled starter last night, but Backstrom ended up getting the start because Kuemper came down with an illness. Backstrom allowed four goals on 38 shots in the loss and likely won’t start on Wednesday like originally expected. John Curry was reportedly pulled off of the ice with a 4-1 lead last night, so it looks like he will be on his way to Minnesota for tonight’s game. We will know at 6 PM ET.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom in goal for the Wild.

Backstrom allowed four goals on 19 shots but still walked away with the win over the Islanders on Tuesday. He draws a beauty matchup tonight vs. a struggling Arizona team. Backstrom is 2-2-0 with a 2.27 GAA and .901 SV% on the road this season.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom starts in goal for Minnesota on Tuesday.

Backstrom stopped all three shots that he faced in relief of Darcy Kuemper on Friday. Backstrom has made six starts and three relief appearances this season—he has gone 3-2-1 with a 1.97 GAA and .917 SV% so far. He draws a tough assignment tonight with the red-hot Isles in town.

Niklas Backstrom
Backstrom starts for the Wild.

Backstrom stopped all 12 shots that he faced after replacing Darcy Kuemper in the Wild’s 4-0 loss to the Kings on Wednesday. He has a 2.04 GAA and .914 SV% in seven games this season. He is a risky start with the Blues in town.

Niklas Backstrom