Wild Vs Islanders: Starting Goaltending Matchup
The Minnesota Wild (5-7-3) are playing on the road against the New York Islanders (6-5-2) tonight. The projected goaltending matchup features rookie Jesper Wallstedt making the start for the Wild, while the Islanders counter with veteran David Rittich.
Minnesota Wild Goaltending
Jesper Wallstedt, 23, is expected to start after Filip Gustavsson, who played in yesterday's loss to Carolina and made five consecutive starts, will sit tonight. Wallstedt holds a 1-0-2 record this season, with a 3.38 goals-against average and a .863 save percentage over ten games. Though he has never faced the Islanders before, Wallstedt's NHL career record stands at 3-3-2, with a 3.34 GAA and a .863 save percentage.
New York Islanders Goaltending
The Islanders are playing the first game of a back-to-back. Head coach Patrick Roy confirmed that David Rittich will start tonight, with Ilya Sorokin slated for the following game on Saturday. Rittich, 33, has appeared in four games this season with a 3-1-0 record, a 3.01 goals-against average, and a .902 save percentage.
"Rittich has had significant success against the Wild in his career. 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 Minnesota."
Rittich did not play against the Wild last year with the Islanders.
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