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Smith, Backstrom lead Wild over Blues

Apr 8, 2007 - 2:59 AM ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Wild are heading into the postseason on a roll.

Wyatt Smith recorded his first career two-goal performance and Niklas Backstrom turned in another strong effort in goal as the Wild breezed to a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Minnesota (48-26-8), which saw its slim hopes of winning the Northwest Division disappear when Vancouver beat San Jose in overtime earlier Saturday, thoroughly dominated St. Louis in this one.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Branko Radivojevic scored first-period goals against goaltender Jason Bacashihua, who was pulled in favor of Curtis Sanford after the opening 20 minutes.

Bouchard's tally was his 20th of the season, making him the fifth Wild player to reach that mark.

After Peter Sejna halved the deficit at 2:47 of the second period, Wes Walz restored the two-goal bulge for Minnesota less than four minutes later.

Sejna's goal ended Backstrom's scoreless streak at 142 minutes, 47 seconds - the second-long streak in team history. The Finnish netminder made 24 saves.

Smith added a pair of tallies in the third, giving him three for the season, which matches his career high set in 2003-04 with Nashville.

Marian Gaborik recorded two assists for the Wild, who will face the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference quarterfinals.