It felt a lot like last spring’s Western Conference First Round series against the Blues. Minnesota was on their forechecks early, forced a multitude of turnovers, and crashed the net with a purpose. But all that may have cost them the game as Anthony Mantha became the first player to ever score a goal in the brand spankin’ new Little Caesar’s Arena en route to a Red Wings 4-2 victory over the Wild.
It was noted early that the Wild establishing a net-front presence, and tested Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard with some frequency.