ST. PAUL, Minn. — As the Vegas Golden Knights wrapped up their first-round playoff series, their star players shone bright, paving a promising path for the rest of their postseason journey. Just two years removed from their Stanley Cup triumph, the team looks ready to compete at the highest level once again.
By overcoming the Minnesota Wild in a six-game series, clinching the last three victories with narrow one-goal margins and sealing the decisive win on the road, the Golden Knights became the first team from the Western Conference to progress to the second round.
“It’s a matter of experience. Over time, you learn to keep your composure early in a series,” said defenseman Shea Theodore, one of the few remaining players from the squad’s 2017-18 inaugural season. Theodore contributed significantly, scoring a vital power-play goal in Game 6 for his second tally in three games after starting the series goalless.
Jack Eichel and Mark Stone had pivotal roles in Game 6, each scoring a goal and providing an assist. Together, they amassed nine points in the last three games, a significant improvement after being held scoreless in the initial matchups.
Goalkeeper Adin Hill experienced a turnaround, conceding 10 goals on 57 attempts in the first three games but only letting in seven out of 85 shots throughout the remaining matches.
“We expected this outcome; some of those guys just needed more time,” commented coach Bruce Cassidy, now in his third year with the team.
Speedsters Eichel and Stone, crucial players for Vegas, found their opportunities somewhat restricted by the Wild’s fiercely physical play, which limited much of the open-ice action. They executed a masterclass play in Game 6 when Stone fired an astute long pass from their defensive zone to Eichel, who sped past a diving Kirill Kaprizov. Eichel then sealed the breakaway with a precise wrist shot beyond goalie Filip Gustavsson’s glove.
“Both these guys are the pulse of our team. Once Jack is in form, stopping him becomes a challenge, and he’s also adept defensively,” commented Hill. “His progress is amazing, and his ability to perform in clutch situations is extraordinary.”
Cassidy initially split Eichel and Stone in Game 4 but reunited them as Game 6 approached, with William Karlsson joining their line due to Pavel Dorofeyev’s injury.
“Despite facing challenges, our confidence grew, even after Game 3,” noted defenseman Brayden McNabb.
For the Wild, Kaprizov and Matt Boldy stood out with five goals each across the series, helping their team to an initial 2-1 lead that included consecutive 5-2 victories.
However, they found it tough to make an impact in the decisive game, owing much to Eichel’s stellar play.
“Eichel aims to be the top player and won’t accept being outperformed,” Cassidy remarked.
Golden Knights’ standouts Karlsson, McNabb, and Theodore, along with fans, have experienced remarkable achievements since the team’s inception, reaching the playoffs seven times in their first eight years, including five divisional titles. They’ve claimed victory in 12 of 17 playoff series, moving within one series triumph of a fifth semifinal berth. Their appearances in the finals occurred twice, debuting in 2018 and winning it all in 2023.
“From the beginning of my time here, the objective is clear: to win. Acquiring players with strong character is crucial,” Theodore stated. “That’s the goal conveyed by owner Bill Foley from the start. Everyone is committed each year, and it’s gratifying to see everything falling into place, especially at a crucial juncture.”