Backup goalie considered for shootout

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: March 21, 2008 - 11:55 PM

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - With points at a premium, the Wild's coaching staff has debated whether it's worth yanking goalie Niklas Backstrom in favor of backup Josh Harding if the Wild gets into a shootout again.

"We certainly have to debate it a little more among the staff, but we've talked about it a little bit and haven't decided," goalie coach Bob Mason said.

"If it happens, it wouldn't take anything away from the goaltender's play," he added. "The shootout's a skill competition basically under a fair amount of pressure."

For those who have faced more than 30 shootouts shots, Backstrom is the worst NHL goalie since the tiebreaker was implemented in 2005.

Backstrom has given up 27 goals on 53 shots (.491 save percentage). He's 4-11 in his career and 1-6 this season. This season, he's given up 12 goals on 21 shots.

Last season when Manny Fernandez was healthy, General Manager Doug Risebrough endorsed pulling Backstrom for Fernandez, who is 12-3 in shootouts, saying, "If it came down to late in the season and it was a needed game ... the general manager's already decided."

Coach Jacques Lemaire is weighing the pros and cons. He's worried about humiliating Backstrom, and before Friday's start against Vancouver, Backstrom's been on top of his game (5-1-4 in his past 10).

"It's got to be worse than right now [to pull him]," Lemaire said. "Before you make a move like this, you've got to think about the goalie. Guy's in the whole game and good enough to play most of the game, but not the shootout?"

Backstrom also has been given no room for error. Shooters are 5-for-19 in his seven shootouts. They have been so bad lately (2-for-12 in a four-game shootout-losing streak), Lemaire said, "I will start to use other guys. I have to. Last year, these guys were hot [Wild was 10-7]. Everything was working for them. Now, nothing."

For instance, Mikko Koivu was 12-for-21 in his first two seasons. This season he is 1-for-7. Marian Gaborik's 1-for-13 in his career. Petteri Nummelin is 8-for-9, but he's injured.

"It's confidence," Koivu said. "If you go out there and know you've been successful, it's easier to go out and score some goals."

Harding said he'd be ready, but he feels Backstrom's getting a raw deal.

"I think Backy's unbelievable in shootouts. The goals that are beating him would beat pretty well any goalie," Harding said. "I've never been in a situation [where I only played a shootout], and I don't think too many goalies have. It'd be a little different. It'd be challenging, but I'll do whatever they say. They tell me to go in there, I'll go in there."

Two seasons ago, Edmonton pulled Ty Conklin for Mike Morrison; Conklin fumed. Last season, Atlanta pulled Johan Hedberg for Kari Lehtonen; Lehtonen lost.

In order not to tip off opponents, Mason didn't want to get too technical about what's wrong with Backstrom. But he indicated the gap between himself and the shooter is often faulty.

Asked if it's confidence at this point, Mason said, "Maybe a little bit just because the results aren't in. We get the results the other way, it'll change. He can't overthink it."

Etc.

• After a conversation with Risebrough, Lemaire said the Wild would wait for Houston Aeros defenseman Erik Reitz's ankle to heal before calling up a defenseman. The 25-year-old Reitz, who has got 34 points, 99 penalty minutes and is a plus-11 in 49 games, has missed five games since March 9 and is expected back next week. "We'll go day-to-day," said Lemaire, not confident with his shorthanded blue line.

• Mark Parrish's extended stay in Lemaire's doghouse continues. The veteran winger was scratched for the second time in seven games. Parrish has two goals in his past 21 games. Chris Simon, scratched in three in a row, replaced Parrish.

• Wild first-round pick Colton Gillies, currently negotiating with the Wild, attended Friday's game.