2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Minnesota Wild turning to Filip Gustavsson for Game 2 vs. Avalanche

The Minnesota Wild are making a change in net.

After 23-year-old rookie Jesper Wallstedt was tagged for eight goals on 42 shots in a 9-6 Game 1 loss against the Colorado Avalanche, the Wild are turning to 27-year-old veteran Filip Gustavsson as their Game 2 starter in Denver on Tuesday.

Here’s what you need to know.

You can also check out our full Wild vs. Avalanche Game 2 preview and score prediction here.

Don’t forget to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of NHL game odds, NHL futures and NHL specials and props.

Filip Gustavsson

Gustavsson is making his 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs debut after going 28-15-6 with a 2.69 goals-against average, .904 save percentage and four shutouts in 50 regular season games (49 starts).

“Every time you make a decision, you take a lot of things into account,” Minnesota head coach John Hynes said after the morning skate. “We’ve had two very good goalies all year long and ‘Gus’ has played a lot of good hockey for us.”

This will be Gustavsson’s first start since April 13 when he allowed five goals on 21 shots in a 6-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

“We have confidence in both of our goalies,” Hynes said. “They’re both excellent, they’ve both played really good hockey. We believe either one of them can win us a game, and I think it’s a good opportunity to get Gus in the net. He’s hungry to get in.

Minnesota Wild

Gustavsson takes over for Wallstedt, who started all six games in Minnesota’s first-round win over the Dallas Stars. Wallstedt went 4-2 in that series, posting a 2.30 GAA and .924 SV.

“‘Wally’ (Wallstedt) has taken the brunt of the playoffs; he’s played seven straight games played very well,” said Hynes. “Quick turnaround at the end of the (first) series to come to Colorado.”

The native of Vasteras, Sweden had an outstanding rookie season for the Wild, going 18-9-6 with a 2.61 GAA and .916 SV.

Hynes also said he could make another “tweak or two” to the Game 2 lineup, but those would be game-time decisions.

Trailing 1-0, Minnesota enters Game 2 as +350 series underdogs, while the Avs are -475 favourites. The two Central Division rivals are at opposite ends of the Stanley Cup spectrum as Colorado has the second-shortest odds of all remaining teams at +195 to win it all, while Minnesota has the third-longest odds at +1500.