There is little doubt that Filip Gustavsson is at the top of the Minnesota Wild’s goaltender tandem after signing a five-year, $34 million contract extension in October. But after struggling last season, in the NHL and AHL, backup Jesper Wallstedt has played well in his five starts.

Wallstedt, in fact, improved to 3-0-2 after backstopping the Wild’s 2-0 victory over Calgary on Sunday in the second of his first consecutive starts of the season. His 2.51 goals-against average and .909 save percentage are better than Gustavsson’s (3.19, .896), but that’s a little deceiving.

When the Wild played a heavyweight, Gustavsson got the call. Calgary, in fact, is the worst team in the NHL right now by four points, and Wallstedt’s five opponents are all ranked eighth or lower in their conference — th

See Full Page