The Minnesota Wild are channeling an old Paul Simon hit as they are celebrating the sensational season being posted by goaltender Filip Gustavsson.
Get on the Gus bus. You don't need to discuss much.
Clearly, the team's viewpoint when it comes to the Gus Bus is all aboard. And who could blame them? Gustavsson's puckstopping abilities are taking the Wild to a place they've never previously resided - the top of the NHL standings.
"I don't really know where it started, but I don't mind the nickname and it's a bit funny when you play well and people say: 'get on the Gus bus', Gustavsson told Swedish website Expressen.
The Wild are capitalizing on Gustavsson's new handle, creating a clever marketing video. In the film, several of Gustavsson's Wild teammates are seen waiting for the school bus to arrive, holding lunch bags with their names on them, Bock Faber twirls a fidget spinner. Just as bus #32 - Gustavsson's uniform number - arrives at the stop, Faber's mother appears, bringing her son his glasses.
The door of the bus swings open and there at the wheel in full goalie gear is Gustavsson.
"Howdy boys," a smiling Gustavsson exclaims, first bumping each of his teammates with his blocker as they board the bus.
Gustavsson will be playing for Sweden at next year's Four Nations Face-Off. Considered a top contender for the Vezina Trophy, the Swedish netminder is fourth in the NHL in goals-against average (2.24), third in save percentage (.922), tied for second in wins (14) and fourth in shutouts (two).
He's even the leading goal scorer among NHL goalies this season. Gustavsson was firing a puck into an empty St. Louis Blues net during a 4-1 Wild victory on Oct. 15. He's the 15th goaltender in NHL history to score a goal.