Undaunted, the Wild struck first near the midway point of the opening period when Kaprizov’s long lead pass found Boldy a half-stride ahead of two Vegas defenders at center ice. Boldly held off his pursuers long enough to slip a low shot past Hill, giving Minnesota its first lead of the series.

Matt Boldy got the Wild run started with the first goal of the contest just four seconds shy of the midway point of the first period. Marcus Foligno made it a two-goal lead 11 minutes, 35 seconds into the frame, and Mats Zuccarello had the Wild well on the way to victory when his goal with 2 minutes, 45 seconds remaining in the first made it 3-0.

If the Wild finally break through and win their first playoff series in a decade, Minnesota’s top line likely will be the reason.