MN Wild Rookie Completes Second Straight Shutout

In 2024-25, the Minnesota Wild employed one of the best veteran goalie tandems in the league. Marc-Andre Fleury will waltz into the NHL Hall of Fame as soon as he is eligible — having amassed three Stanley Cups and 575 regular season wins during his legendary career.

Filip Gustavsson, however, took over as the Wild’s clear No. 1 netminder a year ago, starting 52 of Minnesota’s 82 regular season games (.914 save %, 2.56 GAA).

Meanwhile, 2021 1st round pick Jesper Wallstedt struggled down in AHL Iowa, posting an ugly .879 save % and 3.59 GAA, after an early-season demotion rattled him mentally. But fast forward one year, to 2025-26, and Minnesota’s goaltending duties now fall solely on their two Swedish netminders.

Following Fleury’s retirement this offseason, which opened a goalie spot up in St. Paul, the Wild did not hesitate to make the former No. 20 overall pick their big league backup, despite Wallstedt’s struggles last season. And so far, the kid has paid off their trust in a big way.

Jesper Wallstedt logs second-straight shutout for Minnesota Wild

Last week on November 9, the Minnesota Wild won a controversial shocker in Calgary in which Wallstedt saved all 36 shots put on net by the Flames. And again Saturday night, this time at home against the Anaheim Ducks, the newly-turned 23-year-old dazzled, saving all 28 shots on net, making it 64-straight saves without allowing a goal.

Jesper Wallstedt's last two games:

64 shots faced
64 saves made

Perfection for another @pepsi shutout. 👌 pic.twitter.com/X80vNZa0V9

— NHL (@NHL) November 16, 2025

With the 11-5-1 Ducks peppering him on Saturday night, Wallstedt turned away a pair of power play shots as well as three shorthanded attempts. The second shutout now leads the entire NHL. Even more noteworthy, Jesper’s .924 save % and 2.10 goals against average is better than Gustavsson’s .896 save % and 3.09 GAA.

Saturday night against Anaheim, the MN Wild got goals from both Matt Boldy and Marcus Johansson to secure their 2-0 victory. The win pushed Minnesota’s record to 8-7-4 on the season, as they continue to build back from a slow start.

JESPER WALLSTEDT SHUTS THE DOOR AGAIN pic.twitter.com/r5aBpOGrQj

— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) November 16, 2025

Wallstedt now has eleven total games behind his NHL mask and he seemingly gets better ever time he skates between the posts. The Wild will need their young goalie to continue his growth spurt, if they are going to find their way into the Western Conference playoff picture.

The youngster’s 4-0-2 record to start the season is just what the doctor ordered, in that regard. Minnesota is back in action on Sunday for a back-to-back against the Las Vegas Nights at Grand Casino Arena.