13 October 2023
TORONTO — The Wild weren’t exactly concerned about what they would see from Filip Gustavsson on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center. After all, head coach Dean Evason chose to start him in the regular-season opener.
Still, the Wild were thrilled with what they saw from their goaltender in the Wild’s 2-0 victory over Eastern Conference champion Florida.
Against a fast, aggressive offense that came in waves all night, Gustavsson made 41 saves — many of them on Grade A chances from a good Panthers forecheck.
All around, it was exactly what the Wild were looking for early after starting last season 0-3 with a combined 17 goals against.
“It was important for our hockey club for everyone to play well defensively, but (Gustavsson) in particular,” Evason said. “I hope he’s gained a lot of confidence from the way that he played. Such a quality person; he praised the box outs and what happened in front of him. He did his part, but the team did its part, too.”
Acquired in the trade that sent Cam Talbot to Ottawa in the wake of Marc-Andre Fleury’s two-year, $7 million contract extension in July 2022, Gustavsson’s 2022-23 season was a revelation.
After winning just 10 games in parts of two seasons with the Senators, Gustavsson finished as the NHL’s second-best goaltender last season, going 22-9-7 with a 2.10 goals-against average and .931 save percentage. That spurred the Wild to sign the 25-year-old Swede to a three-year, $11.25 million contract.
“It gives you a lot of confidence as a defenseman when you see your goalie playing the way he was, and the way he always plays since I’ve been here,” said rookie defenseman Brock Faber, who scored his first NHL goal in his ninth professional game on Thursday. “It makes our job very easy. Obviously, we hope to support him a little more in the next few (games) here.”
The victory in general, winger Marcus Foligno said, “is huge.”
“It just sets a tone for the season and just gives you that confidence that, ‘Hey, we didn’t have our best full game but we still walked away with two points,” the alternate captain said. “That’s what’s needed in this league. To have great seasons, you’re gonna have to grind ’em out. … Gussie stands on his head and here we are with two points and 1-0 on the season.”
Evason said the only plan the team has for its goalies is to play the one who is playing well, which makes it more than likely that Gustavsson will start when the Wild play the Maple Leafs on Saturday at Scotiabank Arena.
Stout D
Playing without captain Jared Spurgeon, out with an upper-body injury after being checked into the boards during an exhibition game at Chicago on Oct. 4, the Wild played a generally outstanding game on Thursday.
But Panthers coach Paul Maurice lamented afterward that a lot of his team’s Grade A chances were shot over or wide of the net. And he was correct. When the shots were on target, a whopping 41 times, Gustavsson was there — often miraculously.
Still, it was an impressive performance by a short-handed defense against a Panthers team that averaged 3.45 goals a game last season, sixth-best in the regular season. The Wild killed seven penalties and survived 2 minutes of 6-on-5 to preserve the shutout.
“Our sticks were really good,” Evason said. “We didn’t give that second, third opportunity in front of the net with our commitment to keep people away from the net. Gus had to make a couple of saves, and then we were able to move pucks out.”
Briefly
Veteran wing Marcus Johansson, who left Thursday’s game after taking an elbow to the face, skated with the Wild during practice at TRIA Rink on Friday.
Related Articles
Filip Gustavsson posts shutout as Wild blank Florida 2-0 in season opener
Wild have chance to ‘clean up’ last season’s rough start
Armed with new contract, Wild wing Marcus Foligno sharpens his edge
Wild’s Jon Merrill on NHL’s Pride Night directive: ‘I don’t understand it’
Wild reward Kirill Kaprizov with an ‘A’ for his effort