05/05/26 12:33:00
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05/05 12:32 CDT Wild make switch in net for Game 2, go with Gustavsson after
Wallstedt allows 8 goals against Avs
Wild make switch in net for Game 2, go with Gustavsson after Wallstedt allows 8
goals against Avs
By PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer
DENVER (AP) --- The Minnesota Wild are making a switch in net for Game 2, going
with Filip Gustavsson on Tuesday night after Jesper Wallstedt allowed eight
goals in a 9-6 loss to Colorado.
Wild coach John Hynes announced the goaltender swap several hours before puck
drop. Gustavsson hasn't played since allowing five goals at St. Louis on April
13. He went 28-15-6 with a 2.69 goals-against average during the regular season.
Wallstedt surrendered 14 goals in six games during a first-round series win
over Dallas. He struggled in Game 1 against the high-scoring Avalanche in
allowing eight goals on 42 shots. Wallstedt and Gustavsson split time
throughout the season.
"We have confidence in both of our goalies. They're both excellent," Hynes
said. "They both played really good hockey. We believe either one of them can
win us a game. It's a good opportunity to get Gus in the net. He's hungry to
get in."
Gustavsson has played in 11 postseason games for the Wild, posting a 4-6 mark
with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The 27-year-old
Gustavsson stayed sharp waiting for his turn, Hynes said, and has been "very
supportive" of the decision to go with Wallstedt.
"But the thing I liked about it, too, was that he didn't just concede it,
either," Hynes said. "He wants to play. He wants to get in the net. He was
working for it. He's making sure that he was prepared to do it.
"It could be a little bit of a negative response, but his was, ?I understand
the decision.' As it went on, he wanted to get into the net. But his attitude
toward the team and toward Wally was top shelf."
The Wild remain without forward Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin
because of lower-body injuries. Hynes said there could be more tweaks to the
lineup, but those will be game-time decisions based on health.
___
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and
https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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