Filip Gustavsson stopped 35 shots out of 37 tonight earning himself The Hockey News's player of the game.
ST. PAUL - The Wild entered the night without both Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon who have been a big part of this Wild team for a long time.
Brodin has arguably been the best defensive defenseman in the NHL along with Brock Faber and Spurgeon has been the exact same elite two-way defender that he has been for years.
So without those two defensemen one would think the Wild would be in a little bit of trouble when it comes to playing defensively but so far the Wild have proved that isn't the case.
But also, Filip Gustavsson has been outstanding in the last two games without Brodin but really in his last six games.
Gustavsson, 25, is 5-1 in his past 6 starts with a 1.33 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. Since November 28th when John Hynes took over as head coach, Gustavsson's 950 save percentage is first in the NHL amongst goalies who have played in four or more games. His 1.33 goals-against average is also first in the NHL.
“I had a lot of good fortune playing against them with Ottawa, too. I had my first two wins against them, and then last year I had back-to-back shutouts, and this year two wins," Gustavsson said on the Flames. "Some teams are just easier to play against. It’s not easier, it’s just mentally it feels like they’re one of the teams.”
After another solid performance tonight, it looks like Gustavsson has found his game and was very deserving of the player of the game.