BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Wild travels east twice this week, first to take on the Sabres and then to start a three-game, four-night road trip through Boston, New York and New Jersey.
And because of that busy itinerary, the Wild tabbed backup Alex Stalock to start Tuesday in Buffalo.
"I have reasons," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "It has nothing to do with last game or anything else. I'm looking at the schedule and everything else and thought this was a good place for Al."
Starter Devan Dubnyk was in net Saturday for the 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes. The outcome dropped him to 4-8-2 with a .893 save percentage and 3.36 goals-against average.
As for Stalock, he's 3-3 with a .903 save percentage and 2.85 goals-against average and is coming off an abbreviated start Nov.7 in San Jose when he was pulled after allowing four goals on 12 shots in an eventual 6-5 loss for the Wild to the Sharks.
"Handling the puck early is a big thing," Stalock said, "and a big save early."
What was addressed in the Wild's morning meeting Tuesday was its starts.
During the team's last four-game road trip, the Wild fell into a two-goal hole each time out. Against the Sabres, the group is hoping to have its best first period on the road to date.
