Getty Images On the eve of “rivalry night” against one of the NHL’s two undefeated teams, the Minnesota Wild announced they’ll be starting backup goalie Josh Harding when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
No. 1 netminder Niklas Backstrom has played two games in the last three nights — a 5-4 OT loss to St. Louis and a 3-2 win over Columbus on Tuesday — so it’s not surprising the Wild are turning to Harding.
It’s also not surprising given Harding’s career numbers against Chicago: 6-3 , 2.32 goals against average and .930 save percentage, with three of those wins coming at the Xcel Energy Center.
That said, it’ll be interesting to see how Harding rebounds after a rough outing against Detroit.
He was tagged for five goals on 27 shots in a 5-3 loss to the Wings on Jan. 25, with Minnesota Star-Tribune writer Mike Russo saying Harding “lost his net” on Henrik Zetterberg‘s marker.
Of note, the Chicago game will be Harding’s third start since news broke of him being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the lockout. The 28-year-old won his first start of the year with a 1-0 shutout over Dallas.
-
Getty Images
Wednesday’s collection of links.
-
Getty Images
It’s the first NHL game on NBCSN to surpass 4 million viewers.
-
Getty Images
They beat the Syracuse Crunch in six games.
-
Getty Images
“It’s going to be a strong, solid franchise just like Winnipeg is now.”
-
Report: Flyers will buy out Briere, Bryzgalov another story (Updated)
Jun 18, 2013, 9:27 PM EDT
Getty Images
Things are getting dramatic in Philadelphia.
-
Getty Images
His annual cap hit is a hefty $7,727,273.
-
Getty Images
Coburn might be heading the other way.
-
He also loves 2013 NHL Draft prospect Darnell Nurse.
-
Getty Images
The coach already had him picked as Plan B if Marian Hossa couldn’t play.
-
Getty Images
Blackhawks coach knows his team has to improve in those areas.
-
AP
Stemming from his arrest in 2011.
-
“I’ve got a nice little scratch mark on my forehead from the claw marks.”
-
Getty Images
23-year-old defenseman had six goals in the playoffs.
-
Preds stay busy, ink Henderson to two-year, $1.1 million deal
Jun 18, 2013, 4:13 PM EDT
26-year-old made his NHL debut last season.
-
Pegula ‘concerned’ about Miller and Vanek, wants to keep them in Buffalo
Jun 18, 2013, 3:26 PM EDT
Getty Images
But will they stay?
-
Getty Images
Could an NHL team one day call it home?
-
Sharks, Couture reportedly agree to five-year, $30 million extension
Jun 18, 2013, 3:07 PM EDT
As per TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
-
Getty Images
He’s still “day-to-day” with his injury.
-
He’s been given permission to seek employment elsewhere.
-
Getty Images
“We don’t care about calling certain guys superstars on our team,” said the coach.
