Strong Goalie Play Surges Wild Past Avs

Minnesota goalie Nicklas Backstrom stopped 35 shots as the Wild topped the Colorado Avalanche (5-8-0) to beat its first Northwest Division opponent this season.

"Our goaltender was super," Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said after the game, held at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Forwards Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Benoit Pouliot and Andrew Brunette all scored for the Wild (8-3-1) in the 3-1 victory. The listless Avs tallied a goal by Darcy Tucker.

"I feel good," Backstrom told the Star Tribune. "It's fun to play like this."

The Avalanche beat the Wild in the Stanley Cup playoffs last season.

On tap: The Wild remains on the road and will take on the Vancouver Canucks (8-6-0) on Saturday night.