The Minnesota Wild face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, following a remarkable comeback to secure a wild-card spot. After battling injuries that plagued their season, the Wild are now bolstered by the return of key players like Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek. Capable of shifting the series' momentum, Kaprizov was once a Hart Trophy candidate before his injury, and Eriksson Ek has shown resilience with a clutch goal that secured their playoff berth.

On the other side, the Golden Knights, who topped the Pacific Division, boast a potent offense led by Jack Eichel, enjoying the most productive season of his career with 94 points. Vegas also has a strong defensive core, led by Alex Pietrangelo, crucial for their Cup aspirations. The matchup promises to be intense as both teams bring their competitive spirit to the ice, aiming to advance deeper into the playoffs.