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 lost 2-1 in an overtime shootout at Nashville Tuesday night. Dany Heatley scored the lone Minnesota goal and Niklas Backstrom had 23 saves. The loss ends a 3-game win streak for the Wild. Minnesota outshot Nashville 26-24. The Wild are 34-35-11 and they have 2 games left.
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.