The Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild are set to face off in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. With the series tied at 1-1, this pivotal matchup will determine which team takes control in their quest to advance in the Western Conference playoffs.
Game Details
- Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Time: 9:00 PM ET
- Venue: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Broadcast: TBS, truTV, Max
Team Overview
Vegas Golden Knights
- Regular Season Record: 50-22-10 (1st seed in the Pacific Division)
- Key Players:
- Jack Eichel: The team’s offensive leader, Eichel has been a consistent force, contributing a career-high 94 points during the regular season.
- Mark Stone: Known for his two-way play, Stone has been pivotal in both scoring and defensive efforts.
- Adin Hill: The goaltender will look to bounce back after a tough Game 2 performance, where he allowed four goals on 16 shots.
Minnesota Wild
- Regular Season Record: 45-30-7 (Wild Card 1 in the Western Conference)
- Key Players:
- Kirill Kaprizov: The Wild’s offensive catalyst, Kaprizov had two goals and an assist in Game 2, showcasing his ability to take over games.
- Matt Boldy: With three goals in the series so far, Boldy has been a key contributor for Minnesota.
- Filip Gustavsson: The goaltender rebounded in Game 2, stopping 30 of 32 shots to secure the win.
Series Recap
- Game 1: The Golden Knights opened the series with a 4-2 victory, capitalizing on their disciplined play and strong special teams. Brett Howden sealed the win with an empty-net goal.
- Game 2: The Wild responded with a dominant 5-2 win, led by Kaprizov’s three-point night and Boldy’s continued scoring. Minnesota outshot Vegas 32-16, regaining momentum as the series shifted to St. Paul.
Key Matchups
- Jack Eichel vs. Kirill Kaprizov: Both stars are the offensive engines for their teams, and their performances will likely dictate the outcome of Game 3.
- Adin Hill vs. Filip Gustavsson: The goaltending battle will be crucial, with Hill needing to recover from a subpar Game 2 and Gustavsson aiming to maintain his strong form.
- Special Teams Battle: Vegas has been effective on the power play, while Minnesota will need to improve its penalty kill to stay competitive.
Game Outlook
The Wild will look to capitalize on their home-ice advantage and the energy of the Xcel Energy Center crowd. Their physicality and offensive depth were on full display in Game 2, and they’ll aim to replicate that performance. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights will need to tighten up defensively and find ways to generate more scoring opportunities after being outshot significantly in Game 2.
Game Odds
Vegas Golden Knights – 162
Minnesota Wild 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, April 23, 2025
