The Vegas Golden Knights will face off against the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which are set to begin this weekend. The Golden Knights secured the Pacific Division title for the fourth time in eight seasons, giving them home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series. Meanwhile, the Wild clinched the first wildcard seed after a thrilling overtime victory against the Anaheim Ducks in their final regular season game.
On April 15, 2025, the Wild found themselves trailing 2-1 late in the third period but managed to tie the game with just 21 seconds left, thanks to Joel Eriksson Ek’s goal. They forced overtime and Matt Boldy sealed the deal with a goal 20 seconds from the end of the extra period, leading to a 3-2 win. This victory not only secured their playoff berth but also marked a significant moment for veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who made his final regular-season appearance, stopping all five shots he faced in overtime for his 575th career win.
Fleury, who announced his retirement at the end of the season, is expected to be Minnesota’s backup in the playoffs. The Wild concluded the season with a record of 45-30-7, finishing with 97 points. They edged out the St. Louis Blues, who will face the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets in the playoffs.
The Golden Knights swept the season series against the Wild, winning all three matchups. However, it’s worth noting that Minnesota was without their superstar Kirill Kaprizov in two of those games. Kaprizov returned from a significant injury on April 9, scoring two goals and providing an assist in an 8-7 overtime victory against the San Jose Sharks. His return has been pivotal for the Wild, who have struggled offensively throughout the season.
In terms of scoring leaders, Vegas is led by Jack Eichel, who amassed 93 points (27 goals, 66 assists) in 76 games. Other key contributors include Mark Stone, with 67 points (19 goals, 48 assists), and Tomas Hertl, who recorded 59 points (31 goals, 28 assists) this season. In goal, Adin Hill has been solid with a 32-13-5 record, a 2.47 goals-against average, and a .906 save percentage.
The Wild’s offensive efforts have been spearheaded by Boldy, who finished the season with 73 points (27 goals, 46 assists). Marco Rossi contributed significantly as well, with 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists), while Kaprizov, despite missing a large chunk of the season, managed to score 56 points (25 goals, 31 assists) in just 41 games. Goalie Filip Gustavsson had a commendable season with a 31-19-6 record, a 2.57 goals-against average, and a .914 save percentage.
This matchup is particularly interesting as it marks the second postseason meeting between these two teams. The Golden Knights previously triumphed over the Wild in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, winning the series in seven games. Mattias Janmark was a standout for Vegas in that series, recording a hat trick in the decisive Game 7. Vegas went on to defeat Colorado in the next round but fell to Montreal in the third round.
As the playoffs approach, both teams are looking to capitalize on their strengths. The Golden Knights will aim to leverage their home-ice advantage, while the Wild will look to build on their late-season momentum. With both teams having something to prove, fans can expect a highly competitive series.
The upcoming games will be crucial for the Wild, who have not advanced past the first round since 2015. They have faced challenges in the playoffs over the years, often leading in their first-round series only to fall short. This year, however, they have regained key players and seem poised for a strong run.
In addition to their playoff aspirations, the Wild have made some roster adjustments, including the recent signing of 2024 first-round pick Zeev Buium from the University of Denver. Although he did not debut in the game against the Ducks, his addition reflects the Wild's commitment to strengthening their roster for the future.
As the series kicks off this weekend, all eyes will be on Las Vegas, where the Golden Knights will host the Wild. With the stakes high and the teams eager to make their mark, fans are in for an exciting playoff showdown.
