A few quick notes ahead of the Wild-Oilers 7 p.m. puck drop.
Third-string goalie Darcy Kuemper will once again start in net for Minnesota, his third consecutive nod, and head coach Mike Yeo said it was nothing Backstrom did, rather that he wanted to show confidence in the rookie goalkeeper after a solid start against Ottawa.
Backstrom is 17-1 in his career against the Oilers, but will sit in favor of Kuemper.
As for injured winger Zach Parise, the Wild brought in his skating coach Andy Ness, and Parise skated with him prior to Minnesota taking the ice for their morning skate.
After working out with Ness, Parise skated with his teammates after wearing a no-contact sweater when skating yesterday.
There is still no timetable for his return.
