Minnesota has been on a torrid pace lately, with points in 11 straight games (9-0-2), in part due to excellent tandem goaltending led by rookie Jesper Wallstedt. The 23-year-old Wallstedt has been nothing short of sensational lately, near perfect, posting an other-worldly 1.20 GAA, .967 SV%, and three shutouts in his last six games (6-0-0). He has a 1.93 GAA and .938 SV% in nine games this season (7-0-2).
After a poor start to the season, Minnesota has won six straight and skyrocketed up the Western Conference standings, led by superfluous goaltending. Wallstedt will tend the twine of Friday against the red-hot Colorado Avalanche, looking to improve on an outstanding run in November, where he has a near-perfect 0.99 GAA, .970 SV%, and three shutouts in five games (3-0-0). The 23-year-old rookie has a 1.94 GAA and .935 SV% in eight games this season (6-0-2).
Minnesota drafted Wallstedt 20th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and eagerly hoped his skill would develop at the NHL level. In recent weeks, Wallstedt has done just that, earning more playing time, and will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 23-year-old Wallstedt has been excellent lately, posting an absurd 0.70 GAA and .978 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0) and is currently riding a two-game shutout streak. He has a 2.10 GAA and .924 SV% in six games this season (4-0-2). Still, Minnesota enters Wednesday's contest as +147 home underdogs against a Carolina team that defeated them 4-3 earlier this month.
Wallstedt will make just his fourth start of the season when the Wild travel to Long Island on Friday. The former first-round pick struggled mightily in his last outing, allowing six goals on 25 shots in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Sharks on October 26th. Wallstedt carries a 1-0-2 record and .863 SV% into the Friday night's matchup with the Islanders, where the Wild enter action at +130 on the money line.
With the offseason retirement of Marc-Andre Fleury, Wallstedt has emerged as Minnesota's undisputed backup goalie behind Filip Gustavsson. Wallstedt was the 20th overall pick of Minnesota in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, and he will make his season debut on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 22-year-old Wallstedt has five NHL games under his belt (2-3-0), posting a 3.44 GAA and .877 SV%. Minnesota enters Monday's contest as -104 home underdogs against a 1-2-0 Los Angeles team.
With the Iowa Wild (AHL) off until the weekend, Wallstedt might have been recalled just to receive some extra practice during their off-time. The 22-year-old netminder has struggled this season, posting an ugly 4.34 GAA and .860 SV% in 10 games with Iowa (3-6-1).
With the Iowa Wild (AHL) off until the weekend, Wallstedt might have been recalled just to receive some extra practice during their off-time. The 22-year-old netminder has struggled this season, posting an ugly 4.34 GAA and .860 SV% in 10 games with Iowa (3-6-1).
With Minnesota in need of depth on Sunday after a string of injuries, Jesper Wallstedt has be reassigned to Iowa (AHL). The 21-year-old has yet to make his season debut but is expected to return to the Wild early next to do so.
Wallstedt was sent down to the Iowa Wild (AHL) on Thursday for salary cap implications but is expected to fight for playing time in Minnesota this season. Wallstedt was the 20th overall pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in Iowa (AHL), posting a solid 2.70 GAA and .910 SV% in 45 games (22-19-4).
Wallstedt is expected to fight for playing time in Minnesota this season but has been sent down to Iowa (AHL) for salary cap reasons ahead of their season opener on Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Wallstedt was the 20th overall pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in Iowa (AHL), posting a solid 2.70 GAA and .910 SV% in 45 games (22-19-4).
Minnesota may be riding three netminders this season between Wallstedt, Filip Gustavsson, and Marc-Andre Fleury, but showed their faith in Wallstedt being their goalie of the future with a two-year contract extension. Wallstedt was the 20th overall pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in Iowa (AHL), posting a solid 2.70 GAA and .910 SV% in 45 games (22-19-4).
