Last month, Minnesota's decision to give Manny Fernandez a three-year, $13 million contract to be the full-time goalie wasn't looking too good. But seasons are long, slumps are common, and Fernandez appears to have righted himself this week after a miserable stretch. Over a 16-game period from Oct. 29 through last Saturday, Fernandez earned only one victory against eight defeats. Niklas Backstrom started five times in his place and replaced him during the game twice more. But Fernandez was in the net this week for shootout wins over Chicago and Calgary, and both he and the Wild are bringing more confidence into Saturday night's rematch with Chicago.