"Bob Mason, Niklas Backstrom's goalie coach since 2006, is at a loss as to why the Wild goaltender can be so poised in games, yet when it comes to shootouts, he's like a fish out of water.

"We've tried everything," Mason said. "We've done video, verbal scouting reports, watched video of him. Sometimes too much information is just too much. Sometimes you're thinking a guy might do something and he changes the book on you.

"I think it's just reading and reacting, being patient. When he's patient, he's a little bit tighter in the net, doesn't open up. He practices it a fair amount. He rehearses it in his mind. His preparation is always good on everything. I don't know. We really can't put a finger on why his numbers aren't better than they are.""