The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Josh Harding to a 3-year $5.7 Million contract extension Tuesday. Harding would have become a unrestricted free agent next month. The 28-year old Harding has been a backup throughout his NHL career behind 34-year old Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom is entering the final year of his contract and will turn 35 in February.
The Minnesota Wild gave up 2 first period goals and lost 4-1 at home to Phoenix Saturday night to close the 2011-2012 season. Dany Heatley scored the lone Minnesota goal and Niklas Backstrom had 24 saves. Heatley's goal is his 24th.
The Wild won 3-2 in overtime against Carolina Thursday night. Mikko Koivu scored the game-winning goal just 15 seconds into overtime. Kyle Brodziak and Erik Christensen each scored a goal for Minnesota and Niklas Backstrom had 25 saves for the Wild.
The Wild downed Boston 2-0 Sunday afternoon to end their 7-game losing streak. Chad Rau and Matt Cullen each scored a goal for Minnesota and Niklas Backstrom had 48 saves for the Wild to get the shutout in net. Minnesota was outshot 48-29.
The Minnesota Wild lost 4-1 at Toronto Thursday night. Minnesota has lost 15 of their last 17 and is 22-18-7 overall. Nick Johnson scored the lone Wild goal after they fell behind 4-0 in the 3rd period. Niklas Backstrom had 29 saves for the Wild. Minnesota was outshot 33-21 by Toronto.
The Minnesota Wild ended their 8-game winless streak with a 4-3 home win over Edmonton Thursday night. Niklas Backstrom improved to 16-0 against Edmonton at home in his career. He had 27 saves. Marek Zidlicky had 3 assists and Mikko Koivu, Dany Heatley, Jordan Palmer, and Pierre-Marc Bouchard each scored a goal for the Wild.
The Minnesota Wild were shutout 4-0 at Vancouver Monday night. Roberto Luongo had 33 saves to get the shutout in net for the Canucks and Niklas Backstrom had 29 saves for Minnesota. Daniel Sedin had 3 assists for Vancouver.
The Minnesota Wild defeat Colorado 1-0 Thursday night to expand their lead in the Northwest Division. Niklas Backstrom had 27 saves to get the shutout in net and Devin Setoguchi scored the lone Minnesota goal. The Wild were outshot 27-18.