Wild HC John Hynes explains leaving Jesper Wallstedt in Game 1 loss to Avalanche

The Minnesota Wild’s 9-6 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on Sunday was not only painful to watch but also difficult to fully process. As the goals kept coming, confusion and frustration grew over head coach John Hynes’ decision to keep rookie Jesper Wallstedt in goal throughout the game.

Wallstedt allowed eight goals on 42 shots, with a ninth conceded via an empty net, the highest goals-against total of his professional career. He finished the night with 34 saves, but there were moments where things really got away from him, like when he gave up three goals in just 2:01 in the first period and two more in 2:22 in the third. Still, Hynes indicated postgame that pulling him was not seriously considered.

“No, I thought Wally played … look what the score was,” said Hynes. “We can say it was nine [goals], but, you know, they got the empty netter … and their guy was in for a lot of goals against too.”

Statistically, the game was an outlier. The expected goals, according to Natural Stat Trick, were 4.29 for the Avalanche and 3.23 for Minnesota, making the 15 goals in the game feel way higher than anyone would’ve predicted. Both teams, known for defensive structure, combined for one of just 10 playoff games in NHL history with at least 15 goals, and only the second since 1994. There were five goals scored in each period, and 14 different players recorded goals.

Sure, Wallstedt wasn’t at his best, but the Wild’s defense didn’t do him many favors either. Minnesota allowed seven five-on-five goals after surrendering just four across six games in their first-round series. They also played without core defensive contributors Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin, both ruled out for at least the first two games.

The Wild showed resilience, erasing a 3-0 deficit and later taking a 5-4 lead on a shorthanded goal by Marcus Foligno. However, Colorado responded quickly, with Devon Toews tying the game before third-period goals broke it open. Cale Makar scored twice in the final period, including a crucial goal with 2:54 remaining, while Nathan MacKinnon added the empty-netter.

Wallstedt, who is 4-3 with a 2.81 goals-against average and .903 save percentage through seven playoff games, acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that allowing eight goals makes winning unlikely.

With Game 2 set for Tuesday night in Denver, Minnesota has not yet confirmed whether Wallstedt will start again.

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