Wild Keep Predators at Arm’s Length Behind Wallstedt

The box score says 3-1 Wild, but the story was Minnesota dictating who got the better looks and Jesper Wallstedt making the kind of stops that let them play free. He beat what he was expected to allow — his expected goals against was 2.12, and he finished with a goals saved above expected of +1.12 (that’s how much tougher he made it on Nashville) — the saves that let the Wild breathe and finish chances.

Minnesota didn’t need a shot avalanche to stay in front, just the better chances: shots ended 30-20 Wild, and Juuse Saros turned aside 27 of 30, solid but under a steadier drip of pressure. Kirill Kaprizov looked dangerous throughout, even while denting the frame multiple times, a sign of how close this could’ve tilted even more; a night with this many pings — seven total — kept the scoreline tighter than the run of play.

For Nashville, Roman Josi found the net, but the Predators’ look count stayed modest and their power play came up empty. Quinn Hughes drove touches the other way with five shots and an assist.

Takeaway: early read on Minnesota is chance control plus a goalie who cleans up; Nashville needs more volume and bite in the home areas.