Sweden’s Filip Gustavsson tabbed as starting goalie Wednesday versus Canada

Minnesota Wild netminder Filip Gustavsson will start in goal for Sweden on Wednesday against Canada in the opening contest of the 4 Nations Face-Off, confirmed Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin.

Through 37 games with the Wild this season, Gustavsson owns a 22-11-3 record alongside a .915 save percentage, 2.63 goals-against average, and three shutouts. Among goaltenders to have played at least 30 games this year, Gustavsson’s .915 save rate ranks sixth-best league wide and second among goaltenders selected to the 4 Nations Face-Off, behind USA‘s Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.

Originally chosen 55th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2016 NHL Draft, the 26-year-old Gustavsson has played part of five seasons in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators and Wild where through 148 total appearances he. stands 74-50-18 with a .913 save percentage, 2.70 goals-against average, and eight shutouts.

Gustavsson has also seen plenty of success on the international stage, beginning with the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where through five games he led the tournament with a .942 save percentage en route to the bronze medal. Gustavsson’s dominance then continued at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 World Championship where he was recognized as the tournament’s top goaltender after posting a .906 save percentage and 2.70 goals-against average to lead Sweden to the silver medal. Gustavsson again took home silver and was recognized as the top goaltender at the 2018 World Juniors after going 4-1-0 coupled with a .924 save percentage and 1.81 goals-against average. Gustavsson’s international resume also counts gold and bronze medal wins at the IIHF World Championship.

Beyond Gustavsson, Sweden’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster includes fellow goaltenders Linus Ullmark of the Senators and Samuel Ersson of the Philadelphia Flyers, who was added as an injury replacement for New Jersey Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom.

Opposite Gustavsson, Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues will start for Canada on Wednesday.