There is a reason why Marcus Foligno led the Wild during the regular season in WAR (wins above replacement). His value to this team is incredible and they would not be where they are without him.
Foligno, 33, finished Game 1 of the playoffs with 11 hits. This was his career-high in the playoffs and tied a Wild franchise playoff record. He tied Jordan Greenway who had 11 in a game twice.
Vegas's defensive core is one of the best in the league. They are all big defensemen who can clear the puck out of the defensive zone with ease.
The mindset heading into the playoffs was to try and exploite that and what better way to try and run them through the glass?
Yakov Trenin had eight hits in Game 1, Foligno had 11, and Matt Boldy had six. The Wild finished with 54 hits in that game.
Game 2 was no different. The Wild opened the game blasting the Vegas defense into the boards. Or should I say Foligno did.
Foligno opened the first period with six hits. Four of them on defenseman Zach Whitecloud. He even scored the Wild's second goal of the first period after he forced a turnover with a hit and powered his way to the front of the crease before banging home Ryan Hartman's pass.
After tying the franchise record with 11 hits in Game 1, Marcus Foligno set a new franchise record with 12 hits in Game 2. His 12 hits are tied for the eighth most in a playoff game in NHL history.
His 23 hits in the series is tied for the second-highest total over a two-game span in the postseason (stat started to be tracked in 2005-06).
Nonetheless, Foligno's strong physical presence is in full effect for the Wild. It is already wearing down the Vegas defense and creating chances for the Wild.