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Backstrom’s back, but Kuemper starts
Darcy Kuemper will get the call in goal tonight when the Wild take on the Blue Jackets in Columbus.
Kuemper, who snapped a four-game losing streak with a crucial win over the Jets on Monday, needs to get on a roll for the Wild -- and now is as good a time as any to do it. The 24-year-old is 12-10-0 on the year with a 2.61 GAA and .903 save percentage, but showed well against Winnipeg by stopping 28 of 30 shots faced.
Kuemper also needs to show well tonight as Niklas Backstrom returns to the lineup this evening. Backstrom, who was activated off IR today, hasn’t played since Dec. 20.
For Columbus, Sergei Borovsky will be in goal.
Elsewhere...
Islanders at Jets: Jaroslav Halak vs. Ondrej Pavelec
Bolts at Sabres: Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Jhonas Enroth
Rangers at Panthers: Henrik Lundqvist vs. Al Montoya
‘Canes at Pens: Cam Ward vs. Marc-Andre Fleury
Leafs at Bruins: Jonathan Bernier likely for Toronto, no word yet on a Boston starter.
Devils at Wings: Cory Schneider vs. Jimmy Howard
Sharks at Ducks: No word yet on either starter.
Coyotes at Stars: Devan Dubnyk for Arizona, Kari Lehtonen likely for Dallas.
Flyers at Avs: Steve Mason vs. Semyon Varlamov
Oilers at Flames: Ben Scrivens vs. Jonas Hiller