The Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild continue their Western Conference first-round playoff series on April 22, 2025, with Game 2 set to take place at T-Mobile Arena following a 4-2 win by the Golden Knights in Game 1. That opening game displayed the depth, structure, and execution that Vegas has built its playoff identity on, as they overcame an early push by Minnesota and systematically controlled play through all three zones. Brett Howden led the way offensively with a two-goal performance, including the game-winner, while Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev each added a tally to showcase the versatility of Vegas’s scoring depth. The Golden Knights’ top players performed as expected, but it was their bottom-six forwards and transitional play that truly tilted the ice, highlighting why this team has long been considered one of the most complete postseason squads. Meanwhile, the Wild leaned heavily on the brilliance of Matt Boldy, who scored both goals for Minnesota, with Kirill Kaprizov playing a central role in generating offensive chances, though ultimately their attack was too one-dimensional and unable to keep up with Vegas’s sustained pressure. With the win, Vegas improved to 5-1 straight up in their last six home games against the Wild, and now look to reinforce their advantage before the series shifts to Minnesota. The underlying numbers from Game 1 reflected what the eye test suggested: Vegas dictated the tempo and neutralized Minnesota’s ability to generate high-danger scoring chances in transition. Adin Hill was solid in net for Vegas, making timely saves without needing to stand on his head, thanks to effective defensive zone coverage and shot suppression from the Golden Knights’ blue line, led by Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo.

Their forwards backchecked with discipline, limiting space for Minnesota’s top playmakers to operate, and their power play—though not explosive—moved the puck well and kept the Wild chasing. Perhaps most critically, Vegas used their physicality strategically, winning board battles and keeping Minnesota’s offense to the outside, where chances were easier to handle. The Golden Knights have covered the puck line in 8 of their last 11 home games, and that trend continued in Game 1 with their combination of offensive balance and defensive poise. With a strong fan base at T-Mobile Arena behind them, they now aim to press their advantage and push the Wild into a must-win situation as the series progresses. Minnesota, meanwhile, knows that Game 2 is a critical opportunity to respond—not just to even the series, but to demonstrate that they can make in-game adjustments and challenge a Golden Knights squad firing on all cylinders. Dean Evason’s group needs more from its secondary scorers, as relying solely on Boldy and Kaprizov won’t be enough to overcome Vegas’s layers of defense and puck pressure. Filip Gustavsson will also need a bounce-back performance in net, as several of Vegas’s goals came from rebounds or missed assignments in front of him that he’ll need to control more tightly. Defensively, Minnesota must be more aggressive in clearing the front of the net and sharper with their puck decisions to avoid giving Vegas extended zone time. Special teams could prove pivotal—Minnesota must find ways to win special teams minutes after being outplayed in both man-advantage situations in Game 1. This series still has the potential to go the distance, but Game 2 will play a huge role in determining whether Minnesota can shift momentum before heading home, or if Vegas tightens its grip on the series with another complete and commanding performance.