Wallstedt Leads Wild to 2-0 Victory Over Calgary Flames

The Minnesota Wild celebrated a confident 2-0 win against the Calgary Flames on Sunday night in St. Paul, Minnesota. The team showed solid defense and quick teamwork throughout the game, with Jesper Wallstedt leading the way in goal. Matt Boldy scored one goal and assisted on another, while Kirill Kaprizov added a late empty-net goal to secure the victory.

Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt was the star of the night for Minnesota. He stopped all 36 shots from the Calgary Flames, earning his first shutout of the 2025–26 NHL season. The 22-year-old goalie made 11 saves in the first period, 12 in the second, and 13 in the final frame. This was only his fifth start of the season, but it showed his skill and confidence. Wallstedt’s strong performance gave his teammates the boost they needed to stay in control.

The first period ended without any goals, as both goalies stood firm. Midway through the second period, Matt Boldy broke the deadlock with an even-strength goal. He received a perfect pass from Marcus Johansson, skated past the Flames defense, and shot the puck between goalie Devin Cooley’s pads to give the Wild a 1-0 lead. It was Boldy’s eighth goal of the season, and the crowd erupted in cheers as Minnesota finally found the breakthrough.

Calgary’s offense could not find a way to get past Wallstedt. MacKenzie Weegar led the Flames with six shots on goal, but none made it to the back of the net. The team was shut out for the second straight game, having now been outscored 6-0 in their last two matches. Despite creating several scoring chances, the Flames could not convert, and frustration was visible among their forwards.

With less than a minute remaining in the game, Calgary pulled their goalie for an extra skater in a last attempt to tie the game. However, the move backfired when Kirill Kaprizov scored into an empty net with just 50 seconds left. The goal, assisted by Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy, made it 2-0 for the Wild and ensured the win. The home fans cheered loudly as Minnesota secured their second straight victory.

This shutout marked a personal milestone for Wallstedt. It was only the second shutout of his NHL career and came after surpassing his previous record of 31 saves. His previous best performance came on October 13, 2025, against the Los Angeles Kings. Wallstedt’s improvement shows his growing confidence and potential to become one of the top young goaltenders in the league.

Minnesota’s defense played a key role in protecting the lead. Even when the Flames pressed hard, the Wild defensemen stayed organized and blocked key shots. There was a moment of concern in the second period when Brock Faber left the game after colliding awkwardly with Nazem Kadri. Thankfully, Faber returned later in the game, showing no signs of serious injury. His return strengthened the team’s backline for the closing minutes.

The Flames had several good opportunities, especially in the second period when Matt Coronato found himself with a clear chance. He fired a sharp wrist shot from the right circle, but Wallstedt reacted quickly, making a stunning glove save. That moment summed up Calgary’s night — strong effort but no results. The team will need to regroup before their next game to recover their offensive rhythm.

The win gave Minnesota back-to-back victories and confidence for the upcoming matches. The team’s young talents like Wallstedt and Boldy continue to show promise, while stars like Kaprizov lead with experience. With strong defense, quick transitions, and improved teamwork, the Wild look ready to climb higher in the standings this season.