- Wild coach John Hynes named rookie Jesper Wallstedt the Game 1 starter over Filip Gustavsson.
- Wallstedt finished second in the NHL in save percentage at .916 and set a franchise rookie wins record.
- Read below for full details on the call and what Wallstedt is walking into Saturday in Dallas.
John Hynes has made his choice.
The Wild coach confirmed Friday that rookie Jesper Wallstedt will get the net for Game 1 against the Stars, giving the 23-year-old his Stanley Cup Playoff debut in the same building where his NHL career began with a rough night.
The Athletic’s Michael Russo broke the news first.
The decision was not a surprise given how the two goalies closed the year. Filip Gustavsson allowed four or more goals in five of his final six starts and went 2-4-0 in that stretch with a 4.25 goals-against average and an .836 save percentage. Since the March 6 trade deadline, his save percentage dropped to .875.
Wallstedt went the other direction. He finished 18-9-6 with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage, setting a franchise rookie wins record along the way. His .916 save percentage across the full season ranked second in the league, and he closed the year with a seven-game winning streak and four shutouts. Over his final 10 starts, he posted a 1.98 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage.
Against playoff-caliber opponents, he was even better. Wallstedt went 9-3-4 with a .931 save percentage versus teams that clinched postseason spots, per The Hockey News.
His turnaround has been more mental than mechanical.
There is one detail Wallstedt will want to bury quickly. His NHL debut came on January 10, 2024, at American Airlines Center, the same building he steps into Saturday. That one ended 7-2 Dallas, and he allowed seven goals in a forgettable first taste of the league.
The ramp to Game 1 has also included a few oddities. Wallstedt was pranked in the season finale with a jersey that read “Wallstead,” which he did not catch until after the first period. He suspects Filip Gustavsson or Marc-Andre Fleury as the culprit.
Puck drops at 4:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Dallas.
