- Hynes names Wallstedt Game 3 starter after Gustavsson got the call in Game 2
- Eriksson Ek ruled out with lower-body injury, third straight absence
- Read below for what’s at stake as the Wild face a 2-0 series hole
The Wall of St. Paul is getting another shot.
Wild head coach John Hynes confirmed Saturday that Jesper Wallstedt will start Game 3 against the Avalanche, just two games after pulling the rookie following his eight-goal blowup in Game 1. Beat reporter Michael Russo got the word right after morning skate.
It’s a fast U-turn back to the guy who carried Minnesota through most of the playoffs. Wallstedt got yanked after letting in eight goals on 42 shots in a 9-6 Game 1 loss, and Filip Gustavsson drew the Game 2 assignment in Denver.
Gustavsson allowed four goals on 22 shots in a 5-2 defeat that put the Wild in a 2-0 hole.
Take a look at how Game 2 unfolded:
Hynes is betting that five days of rest, plus a return to home ice, will reset Wallstedt. He’s been Minnesota’s number one through most of the playoffs, going 4-3 with a .903 save percentage in seven games.
That follows a strong rookie regular season for the 22-year-old: 18-9-6 record, .916 save percentage, and four shutouts in 35 starts.
Less encouraging news on the lineup card: Hynes said Joel Eriksson Ek will not play Game 3, his third straight absence with a lower-body injury.
Eriksson Ek banged up his leg crashing into the boards in Game 6 against Dallas and skated for the first time Friday. He’s still day-to-day.
Without him and Jonas Brodin, Minnesota has been outscored 14-8 across the first two games. Faceoff is set for 8 p.m. CT at the Grand Casino Arena.
