Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom is fully recovered from the groin injury that sidelined him for 11 games, but it's unlikely that he will start on Thursday, according to Ray Richardson of The St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Josh Harding will probably remain in net after recording 33 saves in a 2-0 Wild victory Monday night. Wild coach Mike Yeo, via Richardson:

"We won't make that decision right now, but typically we would go with a goalie who had a shutout in his last game," Yeo said of Harding.

After undergoing a strenuous workout with goalie coach Bob Mason, Backstrom said that he's ready to go when his number is called.

"We certainly expect both goalies to play for us this weekend," Yeo said.

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