Golden Knights triumph in Game 1 as Brett Howden shines
- Brett Howden scored two goals in Game 1, leading the Golden Knights to victory.
- Kirill Kaprizov had a standout performance in Game 2, tying the series for the Wild.
- The series moves forward with both teams now having victories heading into Game 3.
In the United States, the NHL playoff series between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild kicked off with a notable first game on April 20, 2025. The Golden Knights secured a 4-2 victory at their home rink, with Brett Howden leading the charge by scoring two crucial goals. Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev also contributed to the team's success by scoring one goal each, while Adin Hill made 18 saves, strengthening the Golden Knights' defensive efforts. The game featured an intense back-and-forth, especially in the first period, where both teams quickly exchanged goals. Hertl managed to net the first goal for the Golden Knights after intercepting the puck from Minnesota's Brock Faber, but the Wild quickly equalized just a couple of minutes later when Matt Boldy capitalized on a pass from Kirill Kaprizov. The middle period saw Dorofeyev score the only goal, extending the Golden Knights' lead before Howden further increased their advantage in the third period. Despite the Golden Knights' lead, the Wild responded with Boldy's wrap-around goal, reducing the deficit to one. However, Howden sealed the game with an empty-net goal in the final second, marking an impressive start to the playoff series. Additionally, young defenseman Zeev Buium made his NHL debut for the Wild, signaling potential future contributions from fresh talent in high-pressure scenarios. In a rapid turnaround, the two teams clashed again for Game 2 just two days later, on April 22, 2025, where the Minnesota Wild came back strong, winning the game 5-2. Kirill Kaprizov shone for the Wild with a stellar performance, scoring twice and assisting once, leading his team to tie the series at one game apiece. This win marked the Wild's first victory against the Golden Knights in both the regular season and playoffs after being swept in all three earlier meetings. The series now heads to St. Paul, Minnesota for Game 3, bringing heightened stakes and competition as both teams aim for conference progression.