Harding to start in goal as Wild try to avoid elimination in Game 5 against Blackhawks

CHICAGO - Wild coach Mike Yeo says goalie Josh Harding will start Game 5 for Minnesota against the Chicago Blackhawks and Darcy Kuemper will back him up on Thursday.

Harding went through the morning skate and was ready to go after he left Game 4 on Tuesday following a collision with Chicago's Jonathan Toews late in the first period. Harding's legs got straddled around the left post when Toews landed on top of him in the crease. The Wild, who had already lost starter Niklas Backstrom to an injury warming up before Game 1, went with Kuemper to start the second period.

Blackhawks centre Dave Bolland and goalie Ray Emery remain sidelined by lower body injuries.