Wild at Flames
THE STORY: Back-to-back wins have apparently given the Minnesota Wild the confidence they need to rip off a long winning streak. The defensive stalwarts look for their fifth consecutive victory Tuesday when they visit the Flames in Calgary. Goaltending has been the key to the Wild's success as the club has surrendered only three goals during the run. Josh Harding, fresh off earning the NHL first star award for last week, appears to have wrested the starting job away from Niklas Backstrom as he continues his amazing return after missing all of last season because of injury. Backstrom, though, will start Tuesday by virtue of his astounding career numbers against Calgary. The Flames have alternated strong and suspect efforts over the past week and a half, but impressed by going 2-1 on a difficult road trip through Detroit, Buffalo and Colorado.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), RS Calgary
ABOUT THE WILD (7-3-3): The notion of sitting a goaltender in Harding - and his minuscule 1.18 goals-against average - may seem silly, but it simply emphasizes the dominance Backstrom has exhibited over Calgary. The 33-year-old Finn is 12-7-5 with a 1.84 goals against average, a .932 save percentage and four shutouts for his career against the Flames. In the last five meetings, he has allowed only three total goals. He'll likely need a strong effort Tuesday to remain in the mix for regular playing time.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (6-6-1): Calgary finds itself in an early dogfight in the Northwest Division, with five points separating the division-leading Edmonton Oilers from the fifth-place Flames. With the Wild sitting second, four points up on Calgary, Tuesday's contest becomes even more critical. Miikka Kiprusoff is expected to start in goal for the Flames. He has fared well against Minnesota, going 25-14-1-4 with a 2.04 goals against average and four shutouts in 44 career games.
OVERTIME:
1. Minnesota won four of six meetings last season, including a 6-0 thumping in their previous encounter Jan. 19.
2. Calgary has been sensational in divisional games, winning seven of their last nine meetings against Northwest Division foes.