Series Talk: [P1] Vegas Golden Knights vs. [WC1] Minnesota Wild

[Summer Rose]

Minnesota clinches the first wild card spot and will face Vegas in the first round.

 

[FlameChampion]

I don’t see Minnesota doing much against the Knights unfortunately. Luckily at least Ek and Kaprisov are back so they have a punchers chance.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Vegas in 6

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Vegas is going to up 3-0 and then get Zeev’d.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Minny played them hard in 2021, but I have Vegas in 7

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Second time these two teams face each other in the playoffs.

Last time Vegas was the favorite (tied #1 in pts with the Avs), they had a convincing 3-1 lead but the Wild found a way to make it to 7 games.

Vegas should be expected to win again, but Minny's healthy team is the best they've had in the Kaprizov era in my opinion and they are definitely at striking distance.

But it's very hard to judge where Minny's game is right now because they haven't had any time to gel again with everyone in the lineup. Complete wild card. I could see anything between getting swept to game 7.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Most boring series of round 1 imo

 

[State of Hockey]

Be more intriguing to face Winnipeg, but this matchup is worse for us. Vegas will simply grind us to powder. They don't beat themselves, and we cannot beat teams that make you beat them. I think we'll win the token single game and be shaking hands in Vegas after game 5.

 

[BlueDream]

Vegas in 5, won’t be interesting.

 

[DemidovSaveUs]

Most boring series of round 1 imo

More boring than Hurricanes / Devils?

 

[Clint Eastwood]

I think the stark difference in special teams will destroy Minnesota even if they match Vegas 5v5. Their PK is historically bad and Vegas' PP is the best in the league.

Most boring series of round 1 imo

I actually think there has a chance to be some fireworks in this one. Both teams have a handful of players who have crossed the line and will cross the line again. I think it'll be physical and intense and I'm betting there's at least one suspension by the end of it.

With that said, I don't see it going very long.

 

[Al Lagoon]

Been a while since the Wild have had their full roster - they were clicking pretty well earlier in the season.

Finding their way these last few games. A repeat of Vegas getting a hot start and Minnesota battling back as they get better sounds about right.

The Wild always do better as an underdog, not that they've been a favorite too many times.

Special teams will make or break their chances.

 

[MessierII]

This one is interesting. Money is on Vegas but the wild have been beat up all year. They are mostly healthy now and could make it a series.

 

[MNRube]

Faber & Gus are beat up and have been ridden like rented mules all year. Kaprizov is clearly rusty as hell. Buium apparently isn’t good enough to risk breaking up the 3rd pair of Merrill/Bogosian.

Don’t like our chances against a Vegas team that has a blueline full of 6’5 guys who can skate and defend along with Jack Eichel

 

[FlameChampion]

Most boring series of round 1 imo

I think that’s Carolina and NJ lol

 

[Ignatius]

Minnesota will shock the world like the Shockmaster!

 

[Johnny Tomala]

Golden Knights in 5.

 

[Schennanigans]

Vegas in 4.

 

[The don godfather]

Wild in 7. Bookies need to make their money.

 

[The Duck Knight]

Only way Vegas loses this series is a Hill injury.

 

[DemidovSaveUs]

Vegas has the edge on Forward and on special teams. I’ll call the blue lines a wash, though betting money would say at least one of Spurgeon / Brodin gets hurt in this series. Gustavsson give the Wild an advantage in goal I think, assuming he continues his strong play. My guess it the Wild keep it closer than people expect, essentially keeping the hope of their fans up as long as possible until an exclamation point finish. I’ll take Knights in 7, but I think game 7 at home won’t be close.

 

[Cypher]

Man, Vegas has such an easy road to the conference finals. STL's size could've given them fits, but MIN can't matchup with the VGK.

 

[rynryn]

nm.

I'm optimistic but not crazy. Vegas in 5.
though i do allow some room for hope

 

[Czechboy]

Before I pick.. can someone update me on wild injury situation? Feel like they were elite.. got a bunch of big injuries. Then weren't elite. Are those guys back for playoffs?

 

[DemidovSaveUs]

Before I pick.. can someone update me on wild injury situation? Feel like they were elite.. got a bunch of big injuries. Then weren't elite. Are those guys back for playoffs?

Completely healthy but Kaprizov doesn’t look like Kaprizov rn