Wild Vs Islanders: Starting Goaltending Matchup
The Minnesota Wild (5-7-3) visit the New York Islanders (6-5-2) tonight for an important game. The projected goaltender for the Wild is Jesper Wallstedt, while the Islanders will start veteran David Rittich.
Minnesota Wild Goaltending
Jesper Wallstedt is expected to start for the Wild after Filip Gustavsson, who had five straight starts and played in yesterday's game against Carolina, is benched tonight. Wallstedt, 23, is 1-0-2 this season with a 3.38 goals-against average (GAA) and a .863 save percentage in 10 games. He has never faced the Islanders before.
Overall, Wallstedt's NHL record stands at 3-3-2 with a 3.34 GAA and .863 save percentage.
New York Islanders Goaltending
David Rittich will start for the Islanders in the first game of their back-to-back series, with Ilya Sorokin slated to start Saturday. Rittich, 33, holds a 3-1-0 record this season, a 3.01 GAA, and a .902 save percentage in four games.
Though Rittich did not face the Wild last year, he has an impressive career record against Minnesota:
- 5-0-1 record
- 2.11 goals-against average
- .935 save percentage
- One shutout in six starts
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy confirmed: "David Rittich will start tonight. Ilya Sorokin will start on Saturday."
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Author's summary: Jesper Wallstedt faces off against veteran David Rittich, who boasts a strong career record against the Wild, in tonight's key goaltending matchup between Minnesota and New York.