ST. PAUL, Minn. — Jesper Wallstedt made 36 saves for his second career NHL shutout, Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist and the Minnesota Wild beat the Calgary Flames 2-0 on Sunday night.
Kirill Kaprizov added an empty-net goal, and Joel Eriksson Ek had two assists.
Making consecutive starts for the first time in his career, Wallstedt backstopped the Wild to their fourth victory in five games. The 22-year-old Swede is the backup to Filip Gustavsson, who signed a five-year, $34 million extension Oct. 4.
Devin Cooley made 17 saves for Calgary. The Flames have lost two in a row.
"They scored goals, we didn't," Flames captain Mikael Backlund said after the game. "We got some looks, didn't bury it, and it's hard to win when we don't score goals."
Sunday's loss marked the second straight game in which the Flames haven't found the back of the net, following a 4-0 showing on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
"I liked a lot of our game tonight," Calgary head coach Ryan Huska said. "Again, we're not finding a way to score, which you have to do in close games like this."
"I think we can do a better job of getting some people to the net, so the goalie can't see the original shot," Huska added. "I thought the guys made some adjustments as the game went on, but we were able to gain a fair bit of zone time tonight, which is something that's important for us."
Before their loss to Chicago on Friday, the Flames had won two straight for the first time this season. However, they continue to hold down the bottom spot in the NHL with a 4-11-2 record.
"Effort was way better than last game, (we) played a lot better today... last game was unacceptable, and I thought the boys played (with) better pace and attitude," Backlund said.
Despite the improved energy, Calgary just couldn't solve Wallstedt as its offensive woes continue.
The Wild netminder kept the game scoreless five minutes into the second period with a skate save on Jonathan Huberdeau's breakaway. Minnesota then broke through after a crisp passing display set up Boldy alone in front of the net.
From deep in his own zone, Jared Spurgeon fired a long outlet to Eriksson Ek, who dropped it for Marcus Johansson just inside the blue line. Johansson hit Boldy, who ripped a forehand past Cooley with 6:13 left in the second.
After Minnesota killed off two power plays in the game's final 10 minutes, Kaprizov scored into the empty net with 50 seconds to play.
Up next
Flames: At St. Louis, both on Tuesday night.
Wild: Host San Jose on Tuesday night.
— With files from Sportsnet Staff
5:28