Wild's Backstrom Expected Back In Net This Week

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Wild are closer to getting their top two goalies back in action.

Niklas Backstrom and Jose Theodore were on the ice for practice Monday and joined the team on a road trip to Canada. Backstrom was the backup in Minnesota's 4-0 win over Vancouver Sunday, while Anton Khudobin stopped 32 shots for his first career shutout.

Backstrom hasn't played in eight games since Dec. 31 and Theodore has missed the last two games, both with hip injuries. Backstrom and Khudobin are each expected to start one game when the Wild play Edmonton and Calgary Tuesday and Wednesday. Theodore is still a few days from being able to return.

The Wild also recalled center Cody Almond Monday from their AHL affiliate in Houston.

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