Alex Stalock has been in net for the Wild's last two wins, helping the team crawl out of a four-game rut, and he'll be back between the pipes Monday when the Wild vies for a third straight victory against the Panthers at Xcel Energy Center.
"Anytime you can get in there and get consecutive games at this position is huge," Stalock said. "The way we're playing as a unit is where we want to be. It's not about individual positions right now. It's how we're playing as a unit, how effective we can be when we're fast on pucks, and that's everybody. We're happy with the way our game's trending, and we have an unbelievable hockey team in the building tonight so we gotta be ready to go."
Not only is Stalock coming off a 27-save shutout, his second of the season, but he's been terrific at home – one reason why it's easy for the Wild to continue to rely on him.
At Xcel Energy Center this season, Stalock is 7-1-1 with a .924 save percentage and 2.10 goals-against average.
"Anytime you have good goaltending, you're always in the game," Boudreau said. "Hopefully we'll get it again tonight."
The Wild will stick with the same lineup it used Saturday when it thrashed the Stars 7-0.
Although captain Mikko Koivu and defenseman Brad Hunt skated Monday morning, the two are still getting over a flu bug, Boudreau said, and aren't ready to play.
"They're feeling better," Boudreau said, "but they're not up to partake tonight."
