OTTAWA – Blocking 26 shots from the Senators wasn't the only way backup Alex Stalock helped the Wild to its first victory of the season.
The goalie was also active outside the crease, skating out to handle the puck — a tried-and-true skill of Stalock's that was on display in the 2-0 victory for the Wild, which was the last team in the NHL to secure a point after starting 0-4.
"I've been doing it my whole life, playing a lot of the pucks," Stalock said after his sixth career shutout in his first start of the season. "I feel comfortable doing it. Hopefully it's one thing that's an advantage when our team's in, help relieve some pressure on the defense."
That's not the only upside to Stalock's mobility.
It also stymies the opposition's forecheck, enabling the Wild to transition the puck before the other team can set up in the offensive end.
"The less time you can spend in your zone, the better," winger Zach Parise said. "All these game plans when you've got an active goalie like that is keep it away from the goalie. … He's got that ability to do that, and it helps us get out of our zone quicker."
But Stalock, of South St. Paul High School, doesn't just scoot behind the net to scoop up dump-ins.
In the first period Monday, he strayed all the way to the blue line to lift a loose puck into the Wild's bench that a Senators player was chasing down. It was a heads-up play that might have looked bizarre but was effective since it thwarted a potential scoring chance.
