ST. PAUL, Minn., March 28 (UPI) -- Niklas Backstrom recorded his fourth shutout of the season Friday by making 28 saves in the Minnesota Wild's 4-0 decision over Vancouver.
Backstrom ran his career shutout total to nine and set a franchise record by earning his 31st win of the season. Manny Fernandez won 30 games during the 2005-06 campaign.
Mikko Koivu had a goal and an assist for Minnesota, which has won two in a row and leads Calgary by three points in the fight for first place in the Northwest Division.
Vancouver's Roberto Luongo was lifted for the second straight game. He gave up four goals on 21 shots before being replaced by Curtis Sanford.
The Canucks have lost four in a row and fell back into a tie with Nashville for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored the game's first goal at 11:37 of the opening period, putting a slapshot past Luongo.
Vancouver played its last road game of the season. The Canucks finish the campaign with four at home.
