Niklas Backstrom is a winner again.
The Calgary Flames goaltender stopped 21 of 22 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night, and the win was a long time coming.
Backstrom was playing his first NHL game since Jan. 13, 2015, a span of 432 days.
"There was not too much rust in his system," said Flames head coach Bob Hartley postgame. He added, "To get a big win, that sets the stage really well for Minnesota."
Backstrom will start Thursday's game against the Wild at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The netminder spent parts of nine seasons with Minnesota before being traded to the Flames on deadline day in February.
"(It's) another special game," Backstrom said. "It's going to be a little weird but it should be fun."
The 38-year-old is Minnesota's franchise leader in wins, shutouts, and games played by a goaltender.
