For the first time in nearly two years, Niklas Backstrom can skate onto the ice without thinking about his multiple surgeries in the past 18 months.

Unlike last season, unlike the beginning of this season, Backstrom preps for practices without thinking about how his injury might hamper his ability. He can play in games without fearing what one more tear, one more surgery might mean to his career.

That feeling alone is a far cry from September.

“For sure there’s still a lot of work ahead,” Backstrom said. “But even comparing it to training camp, there’s a really big difference. Everything has been going well and going in the right direction.”

Two months into the Wild’s season, Backstrom appears to be entering his first chance to take hold of the starting reins in Minnesota’s net, his first real chance to earn more games after Darcy Kuemper set the franchise’s shutout record to open the season.

What was originally billed as a two-man tandem in net turned into a one-man show when Kuemper jumped out to a record-setting start.

But of late, Kuemper’s play has cooled.

He was pulled in the Wild’s 5-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night, the third time in his past four home starts Kuemper was yanked for poor performance. The 24-year-old has allowed at least four goals in three of his past four starts.

Coach Mike Yeo wasn’t ready Saturday to announce his starting goalie for the Wild’s next game, a home contest against the New York Islanders on Tuesday. But indications are Backstrom will get an opportunity to show he’s capable of more than a backup role.

“I’ve got confidence in him, no doubt about that,” Yeo said. “Looking at him, I know he’s ready to go back in the net. … We always like giving players a chance to respond, but by the same token (Backstrom) deserves to get back in the net too.”

Backstrom still goes through rehabilitation every day following multiple surgeries to his core in the past 18 months following a sports hernia. He has accepted that he’ll be rehabbing from the injuries and surgeries for the rest of this season, maybe longer.

But injuries and surgeries kept him from playing in a game the final four months of last season. His frustration mounted, and he hasn’t forgotten the feeling of helplessly watching games.

“It’s a lot of work,” Backstrom said of the rehab. “But when you miss a lot of hockey, you realize how much you love it and how much you miss just being with the guys. So if it’s going to give me a chance to be here, I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

The rehab has helped Backstrom feel more comfortable on the ice. In limited opportunities this season, he has recorded a 3-2-1 record to go with a .917 save percentage and 1.97 goals-against average.

Those numbers are a far cry from the career-worst save percentage (.899) and goals-against average (3.02) he produced while battling through injuries last season.

“He looks really good right now,” Yeo said. “We haven’t determined our starting goalie (for Tuesday), but the way he’s played lately gives him a very good chance to get in the net.”

Of course, Backstrom’s increasing opportunity also comes because Kuemper’s play has been inconsistent.

“I just know that he’s capable of more,” Yeo said of Kuemper. “The good games that he’s played lately have been response games like there’s a different approach or mind-set going into the game. … He has to figure it out as far as what he’s doing and how he’s preparing to play his best hockey.”

During the team’s stretch run last season, Yeo often told his team that success occurs when preparation meets opportunity.

Backstrom’s opportunity to earn more starts may be arriving.

“For sure you want to play,” Backstrom said. “That’s the fun part of this game.”

Follow Chad Graff at twitter.com/ChadGraff.