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NHL: Minnesota 1, San Jose 0
ST. PAUL, Minn., -- Niklas Backstrom handcuffed San Jose Tuesday, stopping all 36 shots for his 20th career shutout in the Minnesota Wild's 1-0 victory.
Backstrom was especially tough in the early going, holding Minnesota in the game as the Sharks outshot the Wild by an 18-4 margin.
He was tested again in the third period as San Jose launched 16 shots but couldn't get the tying goal. The Sharks took a pair of key late penalties that nullified their chances to gain the upper hand.
Andrew Brunette got the Wild's only goal on a 5-on-3 power play goal in the second period as Minnesota beat San Jose at home for the first time since October 2006.
Antero Niittymaki made 15 saves for San Jose, which lost for only the second in six games.
ST. PAUL, Minn., -- Niklas Backstrom handcuffed San Jose Tuesday, stopping all 36 shots for his 20th career shutout in the Minnesota Wild's 1-0 victory.
Backstrom was especially tough in the early going, holding Minnesota in the game as the Sharks outshot the Wild by an 18-4 margin.
He was tested again in the third period as San Jose launched 16 shots but couldn't get the tying goal. The Sharks took a pair of key late penalties that nullified their chances to gain the upper hand.
Andrew Brunette got the Wild's only goal on a 5-on-3 power play goal in the second period as Minnesota beat San Jose at home for the first time since October 2006.
Antero Niittymaki made 15 saves for San Jose, which lost for only the second in six games.