Minnesota Wild defenseman Jon Merrill (4) and Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) compete for the puck during the first period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c928dfb8-c855-4603-8abb-218f5fd08866.jpeg] Minnesota Wild defenseman Jon Merrill (4) and Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) compete for the puck during the first period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images The Vegas Golden Knights will face the Minnesota Wild [http://thn.com/minnesota] in the first round of the 2024-25 playoffs. The Golden Knights have finished the season as the second seed in the Western Conference, giving them home-ice advantage against every team but the Winnipeg Jets [http://thn.com/winnipeg]. The Wild and the St. Louis Blues [http://thn.com/stlouis] have been going back and forth, each team taking and losing the first wild card spot. Both teams played their final games of the season last night and after the Wild defeated the Anaheim Ducks [http://thn.com/anaheim] in overtime, they clinched the higher seed. The Golden Knights and the Wild have played one another three times this season, with the Golden Knights claiming victory each time. The first meeting, dating back to Dec. 15, saw the Golden Knights defeat the Wild 3-2 thanks to a third-period goal by Victor Olofsson. The next two contests were won in a more dominant fashion. Without Kirill Kaprizov, the Wild couldn't generate enough offence to keep up with the Golden Knights, resulting in 4-1 and 5-1 wins. Kaprizov's return to the lineup will pose a difficult challenge for the Golden Knights. In the 3-2 win, Kaprizov scored both of the Wild's goals, and he finished the season with 25 goals and 56 points in 41 games, ranking fifth in points per game. Slowing him down will be challenging but vital to their success. The playoff schedule has not been released the beginning of the playoffs are expected to start on Saturday, Apr. 19 or Sunday, Apr. 20. Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwiNvfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to never miss a story. A Glance Into The Possibilities For The Golden Knights' First Round Opponent In The Postseason [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c790a789-ccd3-4c7b-b1f9-8c4318189777.jpeg] A Glance Into The Possibilities For The Golden Knights' First Round Opponent In The Postseason LAS VEGAS -- The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights">Vegas Golden Knights</a> are back in the postseason, a place they've become all too familiar with since arriving in the NHL eight years ago. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/a-glance-into-the-possibilities-for-the-golden-knights-first-round-opponent-in-the-postseason]
