(The Sabres, who were rested after not playing Saturday as they won a road trip in California, were not called for a single penalty.)

A scoreless second period flattered the Wild, who finally started to generate more time in Buffalo territory, but the Sabers were urgent again in the third.

Thompson, who sat out the previous five games due to injury, finished with six shots and 11 attempts in total, but Gustavsson was locked up for every puck Buffalo threw his way – including an uncontested try from Thompson in the final minute.

Gustavsson earned his eighth career shutout and passed Darcy Kuemper for sixth all-time with the Wild. He allowed two or fewer goals in twelve starts in the league. He is 10-4-3 with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage, which is tied for first in the NHL; his save percentage of .917 since joining the Wild is third-best in the league since 2022-2023.

Defense was also crucial in keeping the puck out of the Wild’s net: the Wild’s 31 shots blocked was the second-highest in team history. Jake Middleton had a game-high seven, while Marco Rossi and Declan Chisholm had four each.

“There was a lot of confidence in Gus,” Chisholm said. “We just stay tight in front of him and try to block as many shots for him as possible, and he does the rest.”