The Minnesota Wild defeated the Dallas Stars 6-1 in the first playoff game between the teams, extending their winning streak to six games. According to major_media, Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the series. Jesper Wallstedt started instead of Filip Gustavsson and was named the game's player, according to official sources.
Wallstedt made 27 saves in his Stanley Cup debut, with major_media describing his performance as brilliant. According to Sportbladet (major_media), Jesper Wallstedt described feeling nervous throughout the day, but said it showed that what he does means something to him. He added that after the national anthem, he settled in once he faced a few shots, and then thought it went well.
We have to do this over and over again.
According to SVT Sport (official), Jesper Wallstedt described having nerves during the day and extra when the game started, but calmness returned after the anthem and initial puck action. Joel Eriksson Ek scored two goals, including two power-play goals with sharp direct shots from his favorite position right in front of the net, according to major_media. He also recorded an assist before the 4-0 goal, according to official sources.
According to Sportbladet (major_media), Joel Eriksson Ek described that position as where everyone wants to score from, so it always feels good to get there. Minnesota took the lead after just five and a half minutes, according to major_media, and increased to 4-0 in the middle period, according to major_media. Matt Boldy scored his second goal for 5-2 into an empty net with half a minute left, according to official sources.
There were definitely nerves during the day and then a little extra when the game started. But when the national anthem was over and the first pucks started coming, then it was calm.
Dallas tried to raise the frenzy in their play in the last 25 minutes, according to major_media. Martin Necas reduced the score to 2-4 after seven seconds, according to official sources, with Jesper Wallstedt letting in a goal after seven seconds, according to official sources. According to Sportbladet (major_media), Mikko Rantanen described that Dallas did not deserve to win tonight.
Minnesota played really intense and decisive playoff hockey from the start, according to major_media, while the home team played like in any regular season game, especially during the first 30 minutes, according to major_media. Colorado is the league's best team in points with 85, according to official sources. Filip Gustavsson was replaced after vomiting in his goal crease, according to official sources.
We know that they probably aren't very happy with this game, so I'm sure it will be tough in the next one.
According to SVT Sport (official), American commentators described Gustavsson being replaced after vomiting in his goal crease, noting it's not funny but uncommon. The specific reason for Wallstedt starting instead of Gustavsson remains unclear, as does the underlying cause for Gustavsson's vomiting, with no information provided on whether he was injured or ill. Dallas's performance compared to expectations before the game was described as uncertain, but the outcome proved one-sided.
The impact of this loss on Dallas's strategy for the next game is unknown, though it is expected to be different. No information is available on any injuries reported for either team after the game. According to major_media, the next game will be played in the same arena on the night to Tuesday.
Gustavsson was replaced out after vomiting in his goal crease, haha. It's not funny but you don't see that so often say the American commentators in Viaplay's broadcast.
According to SVT Sport (official), Joel Eriksson Ek described that Minnesota has to do this over and over again. He added that they know Dallas probably isn't very happy with this game, so the next one will be tough. According to Sportbladet (major_media), Joel Eriksson Ek described that Minnesota played pretty well, but it's only one game and in the playoffs, players shouldn't get too high or low, expecting the next fight to be completely different as Dallas is surely not completely happy with their play.
I was definitely nervous, but it's good. It shows that what you do means something to you.
Yes, we did not deserve to win tonight.
I was definitely nervous, the whole day, but it's good. It shows that what you do means something to you.
After the national anthem it released and when I had gotten a few pucks on me I was into it. Then I think it went well.
That's where everyone wants to score from, so it always feels good to get to that position.
I think we played pretty well tonight, but it's only one game and in the playoffs every player knows that you shouldn't get too high or too low. They are surely not completely happy with how they played so the next fight will be completely different.