Niklas Backstrom atoned for his worst game of the season, turning aside 32 shots as the Minnesota Wild earned a 3-1 home victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.

Backstrom was sensational one day after being pulled in the first period of a 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames. The veteran netminder improved to 5-1-1 all-time against Tampa Bay.

After a scoreless first period in which Tampa Bay carried the play, Steven Stamkos put the Lightning on the board 5:53 into the second frame. A Dany Heatley turnover led to a Lightning 2-on-1, and Stamkos finished with a wicked wrist shot that eluded Backstrom.

Cal Clutterbuck responded less than two minutes later with a gift of a shorthanded goal. Lightning defenseman Eric Brewer was stripped deep in his own zone by Mikko Koivu, setting up a 2-on-0 that Clutterbuck finished by waiting out Lightning netminder Mathieu Garon before firing it into an open net for his 50th career NHL goal.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard put the Wild ahead for good with 2:54 remaining in the period. Nick Johnson forced a turnover in the slot and slid a backhand pass to Bouchard, who blasted a shot from the left faceoff circle past Garon.

Koivu added an empty netter in the final minute - the 100th goal of his career - as the Wild halted a two-game losing skid.