Jesper Wallstedt puts Mikko Rantanen on his butt after getting too close.

The Minnesota Wild looked to set the tone in the very first game of their opening round playoff series against the Dallas Stars, and they did just that on Saturday night from bell to bell eventually taking the game by a score of 6-1.

The Wild largely dominated the play and the scoreboard in Game 1, but it may have actually been a rookie for the Wild that led the charge. Prior to the game, Wild head coach John Hynes announced that rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt would get the nod for the Wild in Game 1 and Wallstedt showed up in a major way.

Not only did Wallstedt stop 27 of the 28 shots he faced on Saturday, but he also sent a message to arguably Dallas' most impactful player. Late in the game's second period, Dallas Stars star forward Mikko Rantanen would get a little too close to the Wild's crease and Wallstedt would go out of his way to let him know about it.

Although Wallstedt's teammates quickly came to his aid, the Swedish netminder was intent on sending a message of his own and skated over Rantanen to deliver a push/punch with his blocker. It was enough to knock Rantanen down to the ice, no doubt leaving him a little surprised about what had just transpired.

Of course this is only Game 1 of a possible 7, and the Stars will have plenty of chances to respond in the coming games.