The Minnesota Wild return home with their first-round series against the Dallas Stars tied after two games.
Minnesota opened the series with a 6-1 win before dropping Game 2 by a 4-2 score in Dallas.
The shift on Monday came in a game in which the Stars capitalized on Minnesota's mistakes, as well as a much better defensive performance from Dallas, limiting the Wild to only two goals by the same player, defenseman Brock Faber.
Through two games, and although not all key players are available, both teams have relied on their top contributors, with both teams having one high-scoring outing two games into the series.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Wild starting goaltender Jesper Wallstedt has been in the net for back-to-back games with very different results. After allowing just one goal in his postseason debut, he surrendered four in Game 2.
According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, however, the Wild are not making a change in net despite Monday's loss.
With the news of Jesper Wallstedt starting in Game 3, this will mark his third straight start of the postseason after he logged 33 during the regular season, winning 18 of those contests.
Wallstedt is coming off allowing three goals on 31 shots, which set a personal high for total goals allowed since March 15, leading to questions about his potential benching.
Even after Monday's performance, the 23-year-old has posted strong numbers early in the playoffs, going 1-1 with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.
His Game 2 performance included an early goal that came off a deflection and rebound plays that led to Dallas building a lead. Wallstedt finished the game with 28 saves, with the final goal coming in an empty net situation.
Over the full season, Wallstedt posted a 2.61 GAA and a .915 SV%.
Game 3 will take place on Wednesday in Minnesota, with puck drop set for 9:30 p.m. ET.
