Wild Face Golden Knights in High-Stakes Playoff Opener Tonight

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Minnesota Wild are set to face off against the Vegas Golden Knights tonight in the opening game of their best-of-seven series in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The match will take place at T-Mobile Arena at 10:00 PM ET. The Wild, who finished the regular season with a record of 45-30-7 and 97 points, enter the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Central Division. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights, who hold the top spot in the Pacific Division with a record of 50-22-10 and 110 points, look to capitalize on their home advantage.

In previous meetings this season, Minnesota struggled against Vegas, failing to secure a win in three attempts. The Golden Knights claimed victories of 3-2, 4-1, and 5-1, solidifying their dominance over the Wild. Wild head coach John Hynes acknowledged the challenges faced in the regular season but expressed confidence in his team’s preparation. “We’ve learned from our past encounters. This is a different chapter,” he said.

Players to watch include Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, who managed to score two goals in the season series against Vegas, and Mats Zuccarello, who contributed three assists. On the other side, Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel and Mark Stone have been pivotal, each contributing significantly during their three-game sweep in the regular season.

The matchup promises to be electrifying, with both teams bringing robust playoff experience. “The playoffs are a different beast,” said Eichel. “We need to treat every game with the respect it deserves. It starts tonight.”

Statistically, the Golden Knights outperformed the Wild during the regular season with a higher goals-for average of 3.34 compared to Minnesota’s 2.74. Their power play was also a major factor, operating at a 28.3% success rate, whereas the Wild managed 20.9%.

The Wild adjusted their roster, recalling goaltender Jesper Wallstedt from Iowa just before the playoffs. Wallstedt will be looking to make a statement after a solid debut against Vegas earlier in the season. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are expected to rely on standout goaltender Ilya Samsonov, who is coming off a strong season with a 2.61 goals-against average.

As the playoff series kicks off tonight, it will be essential for the Wild to establish an early advantage and break their losing streak against the Knights. With both teams eager to set the tone for the series, fans can expect intensity and high-stakes action at T-Mobile Arena.