The Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild collide in a crucial Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on May 1, 2025, at Xcel Energy Center, with the Golden Knights holding a 3–2 series advantage and looking to clinch on the road. This tightly contested series has delivered high-intensity hockey and razor-thin margins, as Game 5 showcased in a thrilling 3–2 overtime win for Vegas, giving them the edge but hardly the comfort of dominance. Both teams have leaned heavily on their identities—Vegas through depth, structure, and veteran leadership, and Minnesota through speed, physicality, and the game-breaking ability of their top stars. The Golden Knights, who covered the puck line in 13 of their last 17 games, have lived up to their billing as favorites, currently posted at -235 odds, while the Wild remain formidable underdogs at +190 and are determined to extend the series in front of a raucous home crowd. Vegas has thrived on postseason experience and roster versatility, led by Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, who continue to deliver timely offense and defensive accountability, while goaltender Adin Hill has stepped up with clutch saves in key moments. Their balanced forecheck and transitional play have allowed them to wear down opponents over three periods, and their ability to manage tempo has been a major strength. The Golden Knights’ special teams have also quietly played a significant role, with their power play converting at key moments and the penalty kill disrupting Minnesota’s flow.

On the other side, Minnesota will lean heavily on Kirill Kaprizov, who has been their most dynamic offensive weapon and continues to create chances even when space is limited. Filip Gustavsson has performed admirably in net, giving the Wild every chance to steal games, and the defensive corps, led by Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin, has helped keep Vegas’s high-skill forwards from overwhelming the scoreboard. Despite the Wild’s recent 3–2 loss, they’ve shown they can match Vegas shift-for-shift, and their 4 covers in the last 6 games suggest they’re playing with a level of competitiveness that could shift the series again. For Game 6, puck possession, discipline, and net-front presence will be critical factors, as neither team has given much on the perimeter. With the over/under set at 5.5 goals, a tightly contested, moderately low-scoring game is expected, where one mistake—or moment of brilliance—could tip the balance. Minnesota must start fast, feed off the energy of the home crowd, and challenge Hill with traffic and second-chance opportunities. Vegas, meanwhile, will look to control pace early, avoid penalties, and let their playoff-tested roster dictate the game’s flow. With the stakes high and the margin for error thin, Game 6 promises all the drama and intensity of playoff hockey, where only one team will earn the right to dictate the terms of Game 7—or avoid it altogether.