The Minnesota Wild find themselves down 0-2 in their second round series against the Colorado Avalanche. Before Game 2, Wild head coach John Hynes announced that he was benching Jesper Wallstedt in favor of Filip Gustavsson, who hadn't played in three weeks. The hope was that it would provide a spark to Minnesota and help them.
Instead, the Wild lost 5-2 on Tuesday night. Gustavsson gave up four goals on 22 shots faced. In fact, the Gustavsson gave up two goals on his first two shots faced against Colorado. It was far from the ideal start that the team was looking for.
With the Game 2 loss in the books, Hynes praised Gustavsson while speaking with reporters, saying that he believed the veteran goalie "gave us a chance to win."
"I think [Gustavsson] gave us a chance to win," said Hynes. "The difference in the game was the special teams. That's what it basically comes down to."
John Hynes defends decision to start Filip Gustavsson over Jesper Wallstedt in Game 2
There's no denying that special teams have been a major factor in the Wild's struggles, not just against the Avalanche, but in these entire playoffs. The power play is ineffective, while the penalty kill can't stop opposing offenses. But Gustavsson didn't necessarily give them the best chance to win.
As mentioned earlier, Gustavsson gave up two goals on the first two shots he faced. That's not ideal from your starting goaltender. Then, there was the goal he gave up to Nicolas Roy, in which he got deked on his blocker side.
Sure, Wallstedt did give up eight goals on 42 shots faced, but you'd think Hynes would give him the opportunity to rebound. Instead, he was sent to the bench, even though multiple teammates backed him following his Game 1 loss. But in the first round, Wallstedt was a key factor in them defeating the Stars, as evidenced by his 2.30 goals allowed average and .924 save percentage.
Yet, Hynes went for the desperation move, hoping that Gustavsson would miraculously be able to stop an Avalanche team that, quite frankly, doesn't look like they'll lose a game in these playoffs. They are that good, and that dangerous.
It will be interesting to see what Hynes' decision will be for Game 3 on Saturday when it comes to who will start in net. Either way, it's a difficult situation he finds himself in, as the Wild try to keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive.
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