The Minnesota Wild have been riding an exceptional wave of goaltending this season. Their backup netminder has been spectacular through his first stretch of NHL action, posting numbers that seemed impossible for a rookie.
However, Tuesday night’s performance against the Edmonton Oilers helped him achieve something that had not been accomplished in 87 years. And while Connor McDavid would’ve liked to use this occasion to come out from the Pacific Division, luck wasn’t on his side.
Wild’s Goalie Becomes First Rookie Since 1938 To Record Four Shutouts In Six-Game Span
The Oilers entered yesterday’s game with a lot of expectations. With 11 wins across 27 games, each passing week has taken them further away from the playoffs. However, Jesper Wallstedt made sure that the Wild would be the side that took the win.
The 23-year-old Swedish goaltender stopped all shots he faced during Minnesota’s victory over Edmonton on Tuesday night. The shutout was his fourth in a six-game stretch, matching a rookie record that had stood since December 1938.
The last rookie goaltender to accomplish the feat was Frank Brimsek of the Boston Bruins. Brimsek earned the nickname “Mr. Zero” for his spectacular rookie campaign that included a Vezina Trophy and helped Boston win the Stanley Cup in 1939.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966. Wallstedt now finds himself mentioned in the same sentence as one of hockey’s legendary netminders. The accomplishment speaks to the exceptional run the Swedish goaltender has enjoyed since breaking into the NHL this season.
The Wild selected Wallstedt 20th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft using a pick acquired from Edmonton. The Oilers traded down to select Xavier Bourgault at 22nd overall, who has yet to play an NHL game. The decision continues haunting Edmonton as they battle historically bad goaltending.
Wallstedt has been sensational through his first ten starts, posting an 8-0-2 record. He went 6-0 in November with a 1.14 goals-against average and a .967 save percentage. His four shutouts through ten starts represent an unprecedented pace for a rookie netminder.
The performance against McDavid and the Oilers held particular significance. Edmonton entered the game desperate for offense after struggling through its worst start in franchise history. Instead, Wallstedt stonewalled their high-powered attack throughout the contest.
McDavid has tormented opposing goaltenders throughout his career. The Oilers captain generates elite scoring chances consistently and rarely goes a game without recording points. However, Wallstedt showed no intimidation facing the best player in hockey for the first time.
The historic accomplishment cements Wallstedt’s status as a legitimate Calder Trophy candidate. Whether he can maintain this exceptional play throughout the season remains to be seen. For now, the Wild can celebrate having a rookie goaltender achieve feats not seen in nearly nine decades.
