Backstrom is WILD

Another overtime victory for the Minnesota Wild meant another astonishing performance by goaltender Niklas Backstrom. The most exciting series thus far in the playoffs has to be the Wild and Colorado Avalanche. It's been everything a good playoff series should be. It's had a penalty shot, overtime, big saves, great goals and big hits. All three games have went into overtime and both goalies have played well enough to win. Unfortunately a couple bad bounces has one team trailing the series.
Backstrom has given his team a chance to win each and every game and is a big reason his team is leading in the series. Last night he kept his team in game three throughout regulation as they were outshot 40-30. With the absence of two of their top defenders (Kurtis Foster and Nick Schultz), Backstrom has been forced to step up his game. In the dying seconds of the second period Backstrom was down but not out when Wotjek Wolski picked up a rebound in the slot and had the entire top half of the net to shoot at. Backs stretched up and robbed Wolski of the go-ahead goal. For the most part this series has been back and forth with the goaltenders stealing the show. Also, hats off to the Avs Jose Theodore as well, he has picked up his game this season and is finally starting to resemble that same goalie who won the Hart Trophy back in 2002, as the leagues most valuable player. Not only do the goalies help make this series fun to watch but the speed both these teams possess make for exciting back and forth hockey. The Wild is such a tough team to play against because of their defence first mentality and their unbelievable transition game. The Wild have been successful at capitalizing on the Avs mistakes and with the terrific play of Backstrom, the Wild look to be in control.

If these two teams keep up the same intensity as we have seen in the first three games this series certainly has the potential to go the distance. Although the Avalanche are putting up one hell of a fight; Wild in six. Backs will continue to steal the show!!