The Minnesota Wild (5-7-3) will play on the road against the New York Islanders (6-5-2). Here is the projected goaltending matchup for tonight's game.
Jesper Wallstedt, the rookie, is expected to start. He is 1-0-2 this season with a 3.38 goals-against average and a .863 save percentage over ten games. Wallstedt, 23, has not faced the Islanders before, either this season or in his career. Overall, he is 3-3-2 in the NHL with a 3.34 goals-against average and a .863 save percentage.
The Islanders are on the first night of a back-to-back series. Head coach Patrick Roy confirmed that David Rittich will start tonight, with Ilya Sorokin scheduled for the next game on Saturday.
He is 5-0-1 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, including one shutout in six career starts against the Wild.
Filip Gustavsson, who started five consecutive games and played in yesterday’s loss to Carolina, will sit out tonight.
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Jesper Wallstedt and David Rittich present contrasting experiences as they prepare for tonight's Wild vs Islanders matchup, highlighting Rittich's strong track record versus the Wild.