Golden Knights vs Wild Picks and Prediction – 4/25/2025

The Vegas Golden Knights (50-22-10) take on the Minnesota Wild (45-30-7) in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series, tied at one game apiece. The Golden Knights dropped Game 2 at home, 5-2, after winning the opener 4-2. Minnesota took momentum heading back to Xcel Energy Center, where they've been solid this season with a 22-17-2 home record. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

Vegas came into the playoffs with one of the most consistent records in the West and started the series strong, but the Game 2 loss showed some defensive cracks. Jack Eichel continues to be the driver for the Golden Knights with 94 points on the year, while Pavel Dorofeyev has stepped up with a team-leading 35 goals. 

In net, Adin Hill has been steady with a 2.47 GAA and .906 SV%. Offensively, Vegas scores 3.34 goals per game and boasts an elite power play, converting at 28.3%. However, the defense allowed five goals in Game 2 and has to lock in on the penalty kill, which sits at 75.7%. No current injuries for Vegas give them an edge.

Minnesota flipped the script in Game 2, coming alive offensively behind Matt Boldy’s consistent production. Boldy leads the team in all major scoring categories with 27 goals, 46 assists, and 73 total points. The Wild average just 2.74 goals per game, but showed in Game 2 that they can break through when needed. 

Defensively, Filip Gustavsson continues to be a strong presence in goal with a 2.56 GAA and a .914 save percentage. Minnesota has struggled on special teams with a 20.9% power play and 72.4% penalty kill, and has committed 612 penalty minutes this season. Injury-wise, Troy Grosenick remains out, but the core is healthy heading into this pivotal matchup at home.

Going with the underdog here. Minnesota has momentum after a convincing 5-2 win on the road, and now comes home where they’ve been tough all year. Filip Gustavsson has a better save percentage than Adin Hill, and with Matt Boldy producing like he has, this team looks ready to take control. Vegas allows fewer goals per game, but Minnesota proved they can expose that defense. Final Score Prediction: Minnesota Wild win 3-2.