Filip Gustavsson had to start in the goal when Ottawa took on Dallas.
It was the 23-year-old Skellefteå goalkeeper's only tenth match in the NHL, but Gustavsson showed that he would like to continue guarding the cage.
- He was great, says center Chris Tierney at the press conference after the match and continues:
- It's fun for him to go in and be reliable as a goalkeeper.
It is known that important rescues come when needed.
In Ottawa's first two games of the season, both against Toronto, it was compatriot Anton Forsberg who gained the trust.
In the first meeting, Ottawa won 3-2, and that victory can largely be attributed to Forsberg, who accounted for 46 saves in the match.
32 rescues
Gustavsson's start to the season was almost as good as Forsberg's, and he was named one of the match's best players with 32 saves.
- When your goalkeeper plays so well, you get a feeling we will win.
And that you get the feeling that they will be stopped when they get their chances.
It is encouraging and fun to see them make important saves, says Tierny.
Already in the fifth minute, Filip Gustavsson was forced to let in the first puck, when Michael Raffl had to stand strangely unattended in front of the goal and with a direct shot could place the puck via Gustavsson's left post.
But then the Swede held tight for just over half an hour, and gave Ottawa time to first equalize via Nick Paul and then go up in a two-goal lead via double goals signed Chris Tierney.
"Looked great"
Only with just over five minutes left of the match did Joe Pavelski manage to get a hole on Gustavsson, when he picked up a return and it was crowded in front of the goal.
Ottawa's coach DJ Smith is pleased with Gustavsson's effort.
- He made all the saves he had to make.
He looked great, he says.
For Ottawa, it was the first meeting against a team from the USA since March 2020. Last season, Canada had its own division and Ottawa missed the playoffs.
For Dallas, John Klingberg, who injured himself in the premiere match against the New York Rangers, missed the match.