Minnesota (20-16-3) at Philadelphia (21-10-9), 7:00 pm EST
PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Niklas Backstrom hopes to celebrate his
selection to the All-Star Game with a third consecutive shutout
when the Minnesota Wild visit the Philadelphia Flyers on
Thursday.
Backstrom has not allowed a goal in over 122 minutes. The
30-year-old netminder has made 61 saves during back-to-back
blankings of the Colorado Avalache and Boston Bruins on Sunday
and Tuesday, respectively.
On Wednesday, Backstrom was selected to the Western Conference
All-Star team for the first time in his career. The Finn is
19-12-2 with a 2.14 goals-against average and an NHL-best five
shutouts on the season.
The Wild have needed Backstrom to be at his best as the offense
has not managed more than two goals in regulation over the last
six games.
The Flyers are coming off back-to-back 2-1 shootout losses to
the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals on Saturday and
Tuesday, respectively.
Jeff Carter, who is tied with Washington's Alex Ovechkin and
Buffalo's Thomas Vanek for the league lead with 27 goals, has
not scored in the past three games.
