Niklas Backstrom was making a spot-start in place of Josh Harding, who was sick last night and was supposed to miss Wednesday’s game against Toronto at the X.
Backstrom hadn’t seen game action since Oct. 28, and after taking this high elbow from Nazem Kadri, he may miss more time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brPKApOQMg4
Head coach Mike Yeo termed it an “upper-body injury” and would not go into further specifics. Harding replaced him and picked up the win, allowing just one goal on 21 shots in a Minnesota overtime win.
Wild reacted to Kadri’s hit after the game.
Kadri wasn't available. #mnwild players said it's the type of hits they want out of game. Pominville said he normally doesn't play that way
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) November 14, 2013
It wasn’t the last dirty hit of the game by Kadri, as he would be ejected in the third period after going high on center Mikael Granlund. Some believe there are more severe consequences coming for Kadri than the two-minute goalie interference penalty he got for the hit on Backstrom and ensuing game misconduct he received for the Granlund hit.
Time will tell, as it will with Backstrom’s health.
