Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom injured
October 27, 2007
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota's starting goalie Niklas Backstrom suffered a groin injury in practice Saturday and the Wild recalled goaltender Nolan Schaefer from the Houston Aeros, their AHL affiliate.
Backstrom will not dress for Sunday's game against the Colorado Avalanche, the Wild said in a statement.
Schaefer is 1-2-0 with a 3.90 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage in three games for the Aeros this season. This is his first recall to the Wild, who signed him as a free agent in July.
He was San Jose's fifth-round pick (No. 166 overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and is 5-1-0 with a 1.88 goals-against average in seven career NHL games, all with San Jose.
Pittsburgh Penguins recall forward Tyler Kennedy from AHL
October 27, 2007
PITTSBURGH (AP) -The Penguins recalled forward Tyler Kennedy from their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.
Kennedy, a fourth-round pick in the 2004 draft, made his NHL debut Saturday night in Pittsburgh against the Montreal Canadiens. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound Kennedy was tied for second in scoring for his AHL team with five points (three goals, two assists) in six games. He had 12 goals and 25 assists for the AHL Penguins last season.
Pittsburgh had an open roster spot, so there was no corresponding move. Veteran winger Gary Roberts did not practice Friday and was not in the lineup Saturday.
Sunday's key NHL matchup notes
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Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche
Minnesota is among the best defensive teams in the league so far, allowing 1.90 goals per game. However, the Wild have given up 10 goals over their last two games.
The Wild have won four of their last five games against Colorado.
Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim's title defense has gotten off to a rocky start. The Ducks are near the bottom of the league as they're averaging 2.08 goals per game.
The Ducks could benefit from the return of Ryan Getzlaf, the team's leading scorer with seven assists and 10 points. He missed Thursday's game with an upper body injury. Rob Niedermayer also sat out with a groin injury and is day-to-day.
Detroit Red Wings at Vancouver Canucks
Detroit has outscored its opponents 17-7 during its current four-game winning streak.
The Canucks have won six of their last nine home games against the Red Wings.