Danila Yurov opened the scoring less than three minutes into the first period, putting the Wild ahead after countryman Vladimir Tarasenko spotted him in the left circle with a cross-zone, backhand pass.
Eight minutes later, Vinnie Hinostroza extended the Minnesota advantage, gloving down an airmail delivery from defenceman Jake Middleton before skating down the right wing and lifting the puck over Flames starter Devin Cooley’s shoulder.
But Calgary outshot the Wild 13-3 in the first, and 21-8 through 40 minutes, coming close in the opening frame on a rebound opportunity in tight by Jonathan Huberdeau and a one-timer from Matt Coronato late in the first.
Mikael Backlund had the Flames’ best chance of period two, firing a one-timer of his own from the right circle, but fellow Swede Gustavsson was equal to the task in the Minnesota crease.