Backstrom, Zucker undergo surgery for Wild, out for rest of season
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Wild will officially be without goaltender Niklas Backstrom and forward Jason Zucker as they try to secure a playoff spot for the second straight season.
Minnesota announced that Backstrom and Zucker each had surgery on Tuesday and will be out the rest of the season. Both are expected to recover in time for the 2014-15 season.
Backstrom, 36, had core muscle surgery performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Zucker, 22, had surgery to repair a tendon in his left quadriceps by Dr. Michael Stuart at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Backstrom, who had undergone sports hernia surgery last offseason, played in 21 games this season for the Wild with 19 starts. He had a 3.02 goals-against average, an .899 save percentage and 5-11-2 record.
Zucker had four goals, one assist and a plus-2 rating in 21 games with Minnesota this season.
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