There is little doubt that Filip Gustavsson is at the top of the Wild’s goaltender tandem after signing a five-year, $34 million contract extension in October. But after struggling last season, in the NHL and AHL, backup Jesper Wallstedt has played well in his five starts.
Wallstedt, in fact, improved to 3-0-2 after backstopping the Wild’s 2-0 victory over Calgary on Sunday in the second of his first consecutive starts of the season. His 2.51 goals-against average and .909 save percentage are better than Gustavsson’s (3.19, .896), but that’s a little deceiving.
When the Wild played a heavyweight, Gustavsson got the call. Calgary, in fact, is the worst team in the NHL right now by four points, and Wallstedt’s five opponents are all ranked eighth or lower in their conference — the Flames, Islanders, Sharks, Flyers and Kings.
It was a cunning move for coach John Hynes to give Gustavsson an extra break with the Flames in town. Still, Wallstedt, the 20th overall pick in the 2021 draft, was terrific on Sunday while earning his second career shutout.
The Sharks, led by 2024 top pick Macklin Celebrini, are tied with Minnesota for 10th in the West.
“It’s a lot of confidence from getting back-to-back starts,” he said after stopping all 35 of the Flames’ shots on goal at Grand Casino Arena. “Obviously, that means a lot. I knew it was a big opportunity to go out there and obviously try to make a difference.”
Hynes said Sunday that Gustavsson was in line to start Tuesday against San Jose in St. Paul. He has started 12 of the Wild’s 17 games this season.
“Gus has been playing a lot.” Hynes said after Sunday’s morning skate. “So, give him a little bit of time to work with (goalie coach) Freddy (Chabot) here and get him ready for Tuesday.”
That’s heavy
Yakov Trenin retained his hold on the NHL’s hits lead with four in Sunday’s victory over the Flames, giving him 76. Linemate Marcus Foligno had two, moving him into eighth place with 55.
The Wild are the only NHL team with two players among the top 10 in hits.
“There’s heavy hockey in this league, and heavy hockey on this team still, and it’s a big factor,” Foligno said.
Briefly
Kirill Kaprizov’s empty-netter on Sunday was his 10th goal, four behind first-place Colorado center Nathan MacKinnon. Kaprizov is tied for sixth with 22 points, seven behind league leader MacKinnon.
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