Wild Vs Islanders: Starting Goaltending Matchup
The Minnesota Wild (5-7-3) travel to face the New York Islanders (6-5-2) tonight, with a key goaltending duel shaping up.
Minnesota Wild Goaltender
Jesper Wallstedt is expected to start for the Wild, resting Filip Gustavsson after five consecutive starts and an appearance in yesterday's loss to Carolina. Wallstedt, 23, has not faced the Islanders before.
- Season record: 1-0-2
- Goals-against average (GAA): 3.38
- Save percentage (SV%): .863
- Career NHL record: 3-3-2
- Career GAA: 3.34
- Career SV%: .863
New York Islanders Goaltender
Head coach Patrick Roy confirmed that David Rittich will start for the Islanders in the first game of a back-to-back set, with Ilya Sorokin slated for Saturday.
- Season record: 3-1-0
- GAA: 3.01
- SV%: .902
Rittich did not face the Wild last season but has an impressive career record against them:
- Career record vs Wild: 5-0-1
- GAA vs Wild: 2.11
- SV% vs Wild: .935
- One shutout in six starts against Minnesota
"David Rittich has had a lot of success against the Wild in his career."
Summary
This matchup pits the rookie Wallstedt against the experienced Rittich, who boasts a stellar record against Minnesota and is tasked with the Islanders' goal tonight.
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Author’s note: The goaltending decision highlights contrasting experience levels, with Rittich’s success against Minnesota likely influencing tonight’s game outcome.