It’s been an unlucky first 19 games for the Wild.
Injuries have ravaged the Xcel Energy Center squad, and they did once again Wednesday.
This though, may be more dirty than bad luck.
Toronto’s Nazem Kadri plowed over Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom midway through the first period, forcing him to exit the game, an elbow that some believe could net him a suspension.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brPKApOQMg4
Backstrom would not return with further examination coming. It was his first game since Oct. 28 after previously missing time with a lower-body injury.
Josh Harding was thrown into spot duty after not starting because of an illness, and performed admirably for the Wild, stopping 20 Toronto shots while allowing just a lone goal. That would be enough after he also denied two Toronto skaters in a shootout, and Minnesota won 2-1 for their 11th victory of the year.
Minnesota trailed 1-0 until Zach Parise rescued the Wild with 4:17 left in the third period, Charlie Coyle and Mikko Koivu picking up the assists.
With Harding stopping Mason Raymond and former Gopher great Phil Kessel, Minnesota would need just two of their three shooters to score. Parise did, and in round three Pominville would follow suit to lock up the win.
Toronto has now lost three of their last four, while the Wild have now won eight of 10.
Minnesota returns to action Friday with a home game against Florida at 7 p.m.
