Minnesota Wild Defeat Vegas Golden Knights 5-2, Series Tied 1-1

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 in Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round, tying the playoff series 1-1. Kirill Kaprizov starred with two goals and an assist, while Matt Boldy extended his scoring streak and goaltender Filip Gustavsson made 29 saves to anchor the Wild's defense. Minnesota capitalized on Vegas turnovers to build a 4-0 lead, with contributions from Marcus Foligno, Mats Zuccarello, and Ryan Hartman, whose grit and discipline were highlighted by both coaches and teammates. Despite Vegas dominating shots later in the game and narrowing the deficit, Kaprizov sealed the win with a long empty-net goal. The Wild's victory was their first against Vegas this season and showcased the impact of their top players performing at a high level, a factor seen as crucial for a potential series upset. The series now shifts to St. Paul for Game 3, with both teams emphasizing the need for improved execution moving forward.