Wild goalie Josh Harding returns to the cage tonight, getting his first start since March 8 when he tweaked a lower body injury against Phoenix. Nicklas Backstrom is also back in the fold as Harding's backup. Gone is Matt Hackett, who was sent down to Houston.

Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher tells the Star Tribune there is no way they are trading Niklas Backstrom. Fletcher loves the goalie tandem that Backstrom and Josh Harding provide. He points out that the duo was one of the main reasons the Wild were on top of the NHL over the first 30 games last season.

Niklas Backstrom will start for the first time since October 27 when the Wild meet the Flames in Calgary Tuesday night. Josh Harding has started in goal and led the Wild on their current four game winning streak. Harding says he understands because Backstrom is Minnesota's "go-to-guy."

Wild goalie Josh Harding hurt his ankle during a team-building exercise in Wisconsin Sunday. He didn't practice during the team's outing at Amsoil Arena in Duluth. Matt Hackett will fill in for Harding.

With the NHL lockout firmly in place, it looks like members of the Minnesota Wild are scattering to make a buck. Today, word that goalie Niklas Backstrom signed with Russia’s Dynamo Minsk team.

With four straight wins, Wild goalie Josh Harding is showing the league that he might be better than a backup to Niklas Backstrom. He's an unrestricted free agent after the season, and if he continues to shut down opponents, Harding could find himself with a starting job next year.

Minnesota Wild head coach Mike Yeo announced Friday that Josh Harding will start in goal Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues. Niklas Backstrom is still the starter, but Yeo wants to stick with the hot hand. It will be Harding's fourth straight start.