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Wild’s Harding to start Game 2 vs. ‘Hawks

Minnesota Wild v Anaheim Ducks

ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 04: Josh Harding #37 of the Minnesota Wild celebrates an empty net goal by Cal Clutterbuck #22 to seal a 5-3 win against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Honda Center on December 4, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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The Minnesota Wild are turning to Josh Harding again in their Western Conference quarterfinal against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Harding will get the start in goal for tonight’s Game 2, Mike Russo of the Minnesota Star-Tribune reports.

The 28-year-old was forced into emergency spot duty for Tuesday’s Game 1 after Niklas Backstrom went down with an injury during warmup.

Harding performed well under the circumstances, stopping 35 of 37 shots in a 2-1 OT loss. That effort was made even more remarkable considering Harding missed significant time this season due to a setback with multiple sclerosis.

As for an update on Backstrom’s health -- well, there wasn’t one.

The Finnish netminder flew to Chicago Thursday evening and shared a goal with AHL call-up Darcy Kuemper during Friday’s practice.

The club had already reported Backstrom suffered a lower-body injury, but provided nothing in the way of severity or when they expect him to return to game action.