Wild make switch in net for Game 2, go with Gustavsson after Wallstedt allows 8 goals against Avs

Wild Stars Hockey

Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson works out ahead of Game 1 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs hockey series against the Dallas Stars, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Wild Stars Hockey

Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson works out ahead of Game 1 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs hockey series against the Dallas Stars, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Wild Avalanche Hockey

Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt makes a stick-save in the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) DENVER (AP) — The are making a switch in net for Game 2, going with on Tuesday night after allowed eight goals in a to . Wild coach John Hynes announced the goaltender swap several hours before puck drop. Gustavsson hasn't played since allowing five goals at 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 over . 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 and defenseman 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: and