"It's amazing how many times a backup goalie comes in in a game and shuts the other team down," Boudreau said. "I'm amazed."
2. The Wild has been really good in bonus time of late.
Ever since Minnesota changed its overtime strategy last month, beginning the extra session with two defensemen and one forward, the Wild has been outstanding beyond regulation.
Minnesota lost its first three games that had gone into overtime or the shootout this season (two overtimes, one shootout) but has now won its past five post-regulation chances, including victories in each of its past three games and four of its past five overall.
"It all evens out in the end," Boudreau said.
The overtime period on Tuesday was high tempo, as both teams traded chances in each other's end. Minnesota's best chance to win it before the shootout came when Eric Staal fed Ryan Suter with a great pass and a short break. From the 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery' department, Suter plagiarized the patented Mikko Koivu forehand-backhand maneuver©, but slipped the shot just over the crossbar and into the netting.
Stalock finished with three saves in overtime, then was stellar in the shootout.