Overview

• The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-2 in the opening game of their first-round playoff series in Las Vegas on Sunday night.
• Brett Howden scored twice for Vegas, including an empty-net goal in the final second, while Matt Boldy netted both of Minnesota’s goals with assists from Kirill Kaprizov.
• Vegas goaltender Adin Hill made 18 saves, while Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson stopped 23 shots, keeping Minnesota competitive despite Vegas' offensive pressure.
• Nineteen-year-old rookie defenseman Zeev Buium made his NHL debut for the Wild, logging over 13 minutes of ice time and contributing physically with two hits.
• Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Las Vegas, with Minnesota aiming to even the series before it shifts to Saint Paul for Games 3 and 4.