Wild vs Islanders: Starting Goaltending Matchup (November 7, 2025)
The Minnesota Wild (5-7-3) are visiting the New York Islanders (6-5-2) tonight. The main focus is on the projected goaltending duel.
Minnesota Wild Goaltending
Jesper Wallstedt is expected to start after Filip Gustavsson, who played yesterday's loss to Carolina and had five straight starts prior, will sit out tonight. Wallstedt, 23, holds a 1-0-2 record this season, with a 3.38 goals-against average (GAA) and a .863 save percentage across 10 games.
Wallstedt has never faced the Islanders before, neither last year nor at any point in his NHL career. Overall, he is 3-3-2 with a 3.34 GAA and a .863 save percentage in the NHL.
New York Islanders Goaltending
The Islanders are playing the first game of a back-to-back series. Head coach Patrick Roy confirmed that David Rittich will start tonight, with Ilya Sorokin scheduled for Saturday.
Rittich, 33, has a 3-1-0 record this season in four games, posting a 3.01 GAA and a .902 save percentage. Although he did not face the Wild last season, Rittich has a strong career record against Minnesota.
Rittich is 5-0-1 with a 2.11 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage, and one shutout in six career starts against the Wild.
Summary
This matchup features rookie Wallstedt making his debut against the Islanders, while veteran Rittich brings a successful history against Minnesota into tonight’s game.
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Author’s summary: A key goaltending battle is set as young Wallstedt starts for the Wild against veteran Rittich, who holds an impressive career record versus Minnesota.