Wild, Golden Knights Clash in Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 1

The Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild are set to face off in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, renewing a rivalry that saw Vegas win a dramatic seven-game series in 2021. Vegas, coming off a 50-win season and boasting one of the league’s best home records, enters as Pacific Division champions and recent Stanley Cup winners, with a deep and experienced roster led by Jack Eichel. Minnesota, meanwhile, returns to the playoffs after a bounce-back season, relying on the hot goaltending of Filip Gustavsson and the leadership of Kirill Kaprizov, but facing concerns over defensive consistency and a weak penalty kill. Notably, 19-year-old defenseman Zeev Buium will make his NHL debut for the Wild in Game 1, marking a historic first for the franchise. While the Wild have made the playoffs consistently in recent years, they have struggled to advance past the first round since 2015. Both teams bring strong narratives and high expectations into a series that promises intensity and drama.