Recap: The Golden Knights began their pursuit to a second franchise championship by hosting the Minnesota Wild for Game 1 of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Tomas Hertl opened the postseason with angoal 15:22 into the first period. The Wild answered back a few shifts later. After twenty minutes, Game 1 was locked in a 1-1 tie.
At the 13:33 mark of the second period Pavel Dorofeyev gave Vegas a 2-1 lead with a power play goal.
Quickly into the final frame Brett Howden scored to give Vegas a 3-1 advantage. Minnesota got within one but Adin Hill and Vegas’ team defense fought them off down the stretch. Brett Howden iced the game with an empty-netter with less than a second to go.
The Golden Knights take a 1-0 series lead after defeating the Wild 4-2 at T-Mobile Arena. Game 2 of the opening round series continues on Tuesday night. Puck drop against Minnesota is scheduled for 8 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: The playoffs are officially here as the speed of the game picked up in a big way right off the hop of this one. It was a physical, fast game in which both teams struggled to really take hold of for the first half of the game. Then, VGK’s biggest advantage of the game came to life as the power play scored in just six seconds. From there, it was about winning the battles in front of the goal and Vegas needed everyone’s sticks to get it done but they ultimately finished the job. (Recap by Ken)
Upcoming stories from Game 1 of the first round series between the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild at T-Mobile Arena.
- Winning the net front defensively
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Adin Hill
** Brett Howden
* Tomas Hertl
Jose
Minnesota played a strong road game. If I were them, I would believe that I could win this series.
The best and most important part of the game was how the VGK defended after Minnesota scored their second goal.
Hdbiker7851
A second goal they allowed – they were doing what they always do with a lead- sitting back and forgetting the competition wants to win. They actually were lucky to win.
Pistol Pete
Hertl gets the first go ahead goal. Continues to be the 5×5 and 5×4 player we hoped we were getting.
#16 bags his first postseason point the second go ahead goal.
Howden continues to be new level version of himself bagging the game winner and a bonus one at the bell. Did Cassidy put him on the PP knowing he might do that?
DeezNutz
Here comes the Sin Bin chat circle jerk! Team looked good tonight but there still 15 more wins to go so put your peckers away and minny get off your knees bud!
knights fan in minny
fuck off whiny little nutz bitch
JB
There’s the first! Nice win, period!
larry
Not VGK’s best game but a win is a win.
Need to clean up and become sharper in the defensive zone….if we get out in transition series will be over in 5.
Credit to the wild though as they did play a pretty good game…though to me their goalie was terrible as he was producing juicy and generous rebounds all game that we need to capitalize on more often.
I thought Hill was clear and away the first star tonight as he made some great and timely saves as Game 1 could have turned into one big mess!!
Pistol Pete
Have not watched the game yet except the VGK goal replays, but here is what the man had to say. Overall he seemed not displeased with how it went. There are always areas to work on adjustments to be made. That is playoffs hockey.
https://x.com/goldenknights/status/1914199922724717030?s=46
Pistol Pete
“Hertl looks like old self….”
https://www.nhl.com/news/tomas-hertl-looks-like-old-self-for-vegas-in-game-1-win-vs-minnesota
Excellent chemistry through the regular season with Saad and Dorofeyev. Cassidy keeps mentioning Dorofeyev’s growing strength on the puck. Helps to have the big-bodied support of Saad and Hertl too.
JB
I think the Knights played a pretty good game. But, I thought the Wild looked faster than us most of the game?
FG
VGK needs an answer to the Wild first line. They appear to be a one line team. VGK has two great advantages, the PP and their depth which will be the difference in the series.
ID10T w/ a Ba1100n
The answer is the fact the VGK roll 4 lines, and they will keep improving every game. This isn’t last seasons bandaged VGK.
ThG
nice win
BREAKING
the dopey marxist pope is dead! RIP Pope a dope.
maybe the liberal hypocritical catholic church, who hides behind their walls- and tried to get USA to take in third world trash and doesn’t do it themselves,
will elect a better pope this time around !
ID10T w/ a Ba1100n
Let’s hope the papist get a shepherd and not a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Franky was an apostate and may God have mercy on his soul. A big reason ACB is such a disaster is the fact she is a papist, and she was bowing to the edicts of the heretic-in-chief.
Satan
To IDIOT. (that’s what you call yourself.)
You hold an extremely critical view of the Catholic Church (especially under Pope Francis) and is likely coming from a hardline Protestant or traditionalist religious perspective. You see modern Catholic leadership as corrupt or heretical, and you distrust Catholic influence in politics and law as seen in your criticism of Amy Coney Barrett. Forget all that you IDIOT.
Join me. Come to the other side. It’s much more fun. The women are hotter. The sex is good and consensual. No pedophilia allowed, none whatsoever in any circumstance. Don’t judge it unless you try.
The Sinful Golden Knights will defeat Minnesota. Satan knows this.
NAM
Good entertaining nail biting game. I think that game showed MIN that they can compete with Vegas. I think it showed Vegas they need to play 60 min and clean some things up. Cassidy said game 2 is always where things start, since game 1 is really about feeling the other team out. I expect good adjustments game 2. Damn game 1 was good. Can’t wait for game 2.
Oh and fuck Hartman! I hate that guy.
Bruce
I like the way Brett Howden ran the linesmen’s head into the glass. Statement showing that we mean business.
Pistol Pete
MIN has a good team over there. Now healthy their 18-4-4 start was no fluke. Vegas has to play better (even better).
vgk21
actually the Vgk should have won by a bigger score. remember the point blank chances for 27 and Stone, the Eichel breakaway, and the breakaway crossbar by Saad, and the lucky save (it barely stuck under the back of goalie’s left pad) on Saad’s close in backhand that would have made it a 4-1 lead before the second Minny goal.
early in the second period the scoring chances were 10-4 for Vgk but the score was only tied 1-1
vgk21
one area that definitely needs improvement is faceoffs in the defensive zone.
and also puck mgmt by the dmen in the 3rd period when Minny put on the forecheck press in catch-up mode late in the game.
Richie-Rich
Game 1 Analysis, VGK 4, MIN 1
VGK LEADS 1-0
The Golden Knights got a gift with the no call on Tomas Hertl interference on Dorofeyev’s PPG. To be fair, the refs let them play. I saw numerous holds on our boys in the Wild Zone that went uncalled as well.
It’s is pretty clear that the Wild have a great 1st line, but beyond that the VGK have more talent. The Wild made the most out of their opportunities in this game, but I don’t see them taking this series. It’s quite possible the Golden Knights could sweep. Yeah, I said the word.
SWEEP