- Marcus Foligno took a shot at Dallas after Game 2, saying the Stars only thrive on the power play
- Minnesota finished 0-for-4 on the power play and lost 4-2 in Dallas
- Read below for Foligno’s full quote and what’s coming in Game 3 at St. Paul
Marcus Foligno isn’t crediting Dallas for much after the Stars evened the series.
Minutes after Monday’s 4-2 Game 2 loss at American Airlines Center, the Wild forward took a clear shot at the Stars’ even-strength play. He said Dallas is built on the power play, not on the run of play.
“They want penalties. I mean, they’re looking to play 5-on-4. I mean, that’s their game,” Foligno said. “They can’t hang with us 5-on-5. We got to just be smarter, and myself included.”
Minnesota finished 0-for-4 with the man advantage. Wyatt Johnston potted the game’s opener on a deflection in the first, and Matt Duchene’s power-play strike in the second put Dallas ahead for good, per NHL.com.
Jason Robertson tipped one in during the third to stretch the lead to 3-1. Johnston then sealed the 4-2 final with an empty-netter in the closing minute after another Wild too-many-men call. Jake Oettinger finished with 28 saves in the Dallas crease.
Tempers boiled over late in the second. Foligno got tangled with Thomas Harley near the Minnesota bench and took the Stars defenseman to the ice, drawing an initial major that officials reviewed and knocked down to a double minor.
In his postgame, Foligno told reporters Harley initiated contact and the stanchion was in a bad spot. He pushed back on the idea that the takedown was meant to hurt anyone.
Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan wasn’t thrilled with the play but didn’t lobby for extra discipline. He called the series tight and said Dallas was happy to head north with a split.
Brock Faber was the lone bright spot in the Wild room. The defenseman scored his first two Stanley Cup Playoff goals and twice cut the Dallas lead to one. Jesper Wallstedt made 28 saves in his second playoff start.
Game 3 is Wednesday at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul at 9:30 p.m. ET. Our Game 2 recap has the full rundown from Dallas.
The series is tied 1-1, and Foligno just handed the Stars all the bulletin-board material they need.
