The Minnesota Wild still have not made a decision on who is going to start in the crease for Game 1 in Dallas against the Stars.
It is obviously a vital decision if they want to start the playoffs on the right foot and considering the opponent, it could mean life or death since the possibility of this series stretching to seven games feels likely. Both Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt has provided them with quality netminding in the season, so now it just comes down to making a choice.
“You can argue both sides, right? This is what I would say: We have two excellent goaltenders. We’ve had two excellent goaltenders all year long,” Hynes said via Sportsnet.
It certainly feels like this is something we won’t find out until Saturday afternoon mere hours before Game 1, but it doesn’t feel like they can go wrong one way or the other. Knowing how the system somewhat works, the first start of what is expected to be a meaningful run, is most likely going to go to the veteran Gustavsson, but that’s just a gut feeling.
That’s Wild
The Wild signed another college free agent and this time it’s defenseman Ben Dexheimer out of Wisconsin, who seems like a smart bet. [Hockey Wilderness]
If, somehow, the Wild get past the Stars, are they poised to then go on a significant run? [Hockey Wilderness]
Breaking down all the numbers between Gustavsson and Wallstedt. [Hockey Wilderness]
A nice little series preview. [StarTribune]
Off the trail…
The NHL announced the full Round 1 schedule for the playoffs. [Sportsnet]
Connor McDavid and his Oilers are set to meet the up-and-coming Anaheim Ducks. [Sportsnet]
The New Jersey Devils hired their new general manager and it’s hockey analytics pioneer Sunny Mehta, who was in their own front office before he won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Florida Panthers. [Daily Faceoff]
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