The Vegas Golden Knights begin their quest for their second Stanley Cup with a first-round battle against the Minnesota Wild. 

The Golden Knights finished the season as the two seed in the Western Conference, while the Wild finished as the seventh seed. Despite that, the series is highly anticipated and will be increasingly difficult with the recent returns of Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Jared Spurgeon.

Like the Wild, the Golden Knights step into the playoffs at full health, with depth aplenty. Jack Eichel recently returned from an upper-body injury, Alex Pietrangelo was able to nurse a lingering ailment, and Adin Hill was given ample rest.

Although HC Bruce Cassidy hasn't confirmed what his lineup will look like, he mentioned recently that he'd like to continue to use what's been successful in the regular season. 

The Golden Knights projected lines:

Barbashev-Eichel-Stone
Saad-Hertl-Dorofeyev
Smith-Karlsson-Olofsson
Howden-Roy-Kolsear

Hanifin-Pietrangelo
McNabb-Theodore
Hague-Whitecloud

Hill
Samsonov

Extras: Pearson, Holtz, Schwindt, Rondbjerg, Korczak, Hutton and Schmid

The Golden Knights are statistically better offensively and defensively than the Wild and hold a large advantage on the power play. The Golden Knights ranked second on the power play during the regular season, and the Wild ranked 30th on the penalty kill. Special teams are important to playoff success and the Golden Knights hold the early advantage. 

Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM PST at T-Mobile Arena. 

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 to never miss a story.

Golden Knights Sticking With Lines That Have WorkedThe Vegas Golden Knights flamed out in the first round of the playoffs last year to the Dallas Stars in large part due to HC Bruce Cassidy’s inability to find the best lines. The blame can’t all be put on him as the Golden Knights were ravaged with injuries and did not have enough time to build chemistry among linemates.  "I think he is one of the most under appreciated defensemen in the league," Golden Knights Head Coach Hands Out High Praise For Defensive DefensemanVegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb finished the season with a +/- rating of +42, the second-best in the NHL, earning high praise from HC Bruce Cassidy.

After cheekily hinting on Saturday he'd be ready to go, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is officially in Toronto's Game 1 lineup against the Ottawa Senators.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed the news following the team's optional skate, which the 33-year-old defenseman attended. Ekman-Larsson missed the final four games of the regular season with an upper-body injury.

Berube confirms OEL is available. https://t.co/UCfq0Mzsex

— David Alter (@dalter) April 20, 2025

With the defenseman returning to the lineup, expect the Maple Leafs to go with this defense group in Game 1 against the Senators:

Morgan Rielly — Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe — Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit — Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Ekman-Larsson joined the Maple Leafs on a four-year, $14 million contract this summer after winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last June. The defenseman played in all but five games for Toronto, averaging 21:04 of ice time, and scoring four goals and 25 assists.

'We'll See Tomorrow': Maple Leafs Reveal Lineup For Game 1 Against Senators, But Could It Change?The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't changing much ahead of Game 1 on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators.

"He's been a very good player in this league for a long time," Berube said on Sunday morning.

"He's been a really good all-around defenseman for us, in my opinion, all situations. He's the type of guy that's very versatile, moving around with different partners, playing the right side, power play, penalty kill. He's kind of a guy that we really count on in different situations and in different roles more than anything."

Toronto is entering the postseason with only one playoff rookie: Bobby McMann. Ottawa, however, has several players who have yet to make their playoff debut.

Ekman-Larsson has played 49 postseason games with Florida and the Arizona Coyotes. He played in all 24 of the Panthers' games last year when they won the cup, which will help in the long run with Toronto.

But how much does experience matter, especially in a series where it's so lopsided in Toronto's favor?

"I think it matters. I think it's good to know what you're getting yourself into. But so many different things that happen out there, so you've got to be able to kind of adapt," Ekman-Larsson said on Saturday.

'Got To Quiet The Noise': Craig Berube Reveals What He's Learned The Most Since Becoming Head Coach of the Maple Leafs Craig Berube is set to embark on his first Stanley Cup Playoffs as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. One day before his team takes on the Ottawa Senators in a best-of-seven first-round series, Toronto's bench boss was asked what he's learned the most about coaching the club.

"It's going to be ups and downs in the series, and it's the team that kind of handles that the best that comes out of it usually, so I think it matters. But with that being said, I think we've got to focus on what we have to do there. Just come out and play like we've been playing all year."

Jake McCabe will also return to Toronto's lineup after missing the last seven games of the year: "Ready to rock."

Anthony Stolarz gets the start in Game 1 against Ottawa as the Maple Leafs look for their first series win since 2023 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"I'm excited for it for sure. That's what you play all year for is to get to this situation and have the opportunity to compete in the playoffs," Berube said. "I'm excited and just focused on what we need to do and trying to prepare our team the best way."

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Little did anyone know that when the Pittsburgh Penguins signed free agent defenseman Matt Grzelcyk in the summer of 2024, the 31-year-old would go on to have a career season with his new team, finishing the campaign with 40 points.

During his eight seasons with his hometown Boston Bruins, Grzelyck never scored more than 26 points, setting a career-high in 2022-23. Before moving to Pittsburgh, he was a four-time 20-point player despite never playing a full 82-game schedule.

With the Penguins, Grzelyck was an assist machine, picking up 39 helpers, ranking behind Sidney Crosby (58) and Erik Karlsson (42). Moreover, he finished sixth in team scoring, following Crosby (91), Rickard Rakell (70), Bryan Rust (65), Karlsson (53), and Evgeni Malkin (50).

Inside The Numbers: Penguins' Record In Season FinalesThe Pittsburgh Penguins just finished their 57th season with a 34-36-12 record, missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive campaign.

Ultimately, Grzelyck outscored long-time defenseman Kris Letang by ten points and was only one of two players, besides Karlsson, to play all 82 games.  

Meanwhile, he was tied with Crosby for most assists on the power-play, picking up 15 on special teams.

However, those statistics only begin to tell the story of how special Grzelcyk's season was. In his first season with the Penguins, he became only the 20th defenseman to record 40 points in a season, joining a list featuring Hall of Famers and Norris Trophy winners.

• Kris Letang (11)
• Paul Coffey (5)
• Sergei Gonchar (4)
• Randy Carlyle (4)
• Ron Stackhouse (4)
• Larry Murphy (3)
• Moe Mantha (3)
• Erik Karlsson (2)
• Ryan Whitney (2)
• Dick Tärnström (2)
• Kevin Hatcher (2)
• Zarley Zalapski (2)
• Dough Bodger (2)
• Matt Grzelcyk (1)
• Justin Schultz (1)
• Matt Niskanen (1)
• Sergei Zubov (1)
• Paul Baxter (1)
• Mario Faubert (1)
• Tom Edur (1)

Additionally, Grzelcyk is one of only 12 skaters to achieve the feat in their first season with the Penguins. He follows in the footsteps of Coffey, Gonchar, Carlyle, Mantha, Karlsson, Tärnström, Hatcher, Zubov, and Edur.

Technically, Murphy and Schultz scored 40 points in their first full season in Pittsburgh, having played part of the previous campaign after a trade.

Grzelcyk is now a free agent, coming off a one-year deal worth $2.75 million signed on July 1, 2024. It turned out to be a bargain deal considering he made $3.687 million annually with the Bruins. 

As the 26th-highest scorer (tied) among defensemen in the NHL during the 2024-25 season, Grzelyck won't be a free agent for long when the opening bell rings on July 1. 

Which UFAs Should The Penguins Bring Back?Although the Pittsburgh Penguins shipped out most of their unrestricted free agents before the NHL trade deadline on Mar. 7, there are still a few remaining on the roster.

The 2024-25 Columbus Blue Jackets season has ended, so let's take a final look at the stats, leaders, and other numbers.

Goals

1. Adam Fantilli - 31
2. Kirill Marchenko - 31
3. Kent Johnson - 24

Assists

1. Zach Werenski - 59 - 4th among all NHL defensemen
2. Kirill Marchenko - 43
3. Sean Monahan - 38

Points

1. Zach Werenski - 82 - 2nd among all NHL defensemen
2. Kirill Marchenko - 74
3. Sean Monahan - 57
4. Kent Johnson - 57

Plus/Minus

1. Kirill Marchenko - +29
2. Dante Fabbro - +20
3. Sean Monahan - +19

Power Play Goals

1. Dmitri Voronkov - 8
2. Sean Monahan - 7

Game Winning Goals

1. Zach Werenski - 5
2. Mathieu Olivier - 5

Shots

1. Zach Werenski - 298 - 3rd in the NHL

PIM

1. Mathieu Olivier - 139 - 2nd in NHL

Fights

1. Mathieu Olivier - 15 of the NHL's 297

Hits

1. Mathieu Olivier - 306 - 2nd in NHL

Blocks 

1. Dante Fabbro - 136
2. Zach Werenski - 131

Time On Ice

1. Zach Werenski - 2166:22 - 26:45 per Game - 1st in NHL

Goalie Wins 

1. Elvis Merzlikins - 26 - 21st in NHL
2. Jet Greaves - 7
3. Daniil Tarasov - 7

Save %

1. Jet Greaves - .938
2. Elvis Merzlikins - .892 - Outside top-50
3. Daniil Tarasov - .881

Goals Against Average

1. Jet Greaves - 1.91
2. Elvis Merzlikins - 3.18
3. Daniil Tarasov - 3.54

Total Goals Scored 

1. 267 - T-7th in NHL - Franchise Record
2. 3.26 goals per game - T-7th in NHL

Total Goals Against

1. 267 - 25th Worst in NHL
2. 3.26 goals per game - 25th Worst in NHL

Power Play & Penalty Kill

1. 19.5% - 22nd in NHL
2. 77.0% - 22nd in NHL

Corsi & Fenwick per MoneyPuck.com

1. Corsi - 48.53% - 22nd in NHL
2. Fenwick - 48.63% - 24th in NHL

Penalties Minutes Taken per 60 per MoneyPuck.com

• 7.52 - 20th in NHL

Penalties Drawn per 60 per MoneyPuck.com

• 6.69 - 6th Fewest in NHL

The Columbus Blue Jackets enter the offseason and will undoubtedly formulate a plan to build on the success of the 2024-25 season. GM Don Waddell has many important decisions to make this summer and a lot of money to spend. 

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story. 

Zach Werenski Declines Offer To Play At World ChampionshipsColumbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has declined the offer to play for Team USA at the 2025 World Championships in May. Thank You From The Hockey News Columbus TeamThank You, Columbus! Prediction Results For the 24-25 Columbus Blue JacketsBefore the season started, I made some predictions for the 24-25 season. Although none of them were earth-shattering by any means, no one knew what to expect from a team hit with the ultimate tragedy just over a month before training camp.  Elvis Merzlikins Gives An Update On The Injury That Ended his SeasonThe Columbus Blue Jackets held their end-of-season exit interviews on Friday with GM Don Waddell, HC Dean Evason, and select players.  Report: Former Blue Jacket Accused Of Sexual AssaultAccording to a report from The Athletic’s Katie Strang, former Columbus Blue Jacket and current New York Ranger Artemi Panarin has settled on an alleged sexual assault incident from December of 2023. You can read Strang's full report in the above link. 

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb finished the season with a +/- rating of +42, the second-best in the NHL, earning high praise from HC Bruce Cassidy.

"I think Brayden McNabb is one of the most under appreciated defensemen in the league," Cassidy said.

The 34-year-old is known for his defensive acumen, throwing 131 hits this season and blocking 167 shots. His 167 blocked shots ranked first on the Golden Knights and 14th in the NHL. His defensive work is more than enough for Cassidy to feel this way about McNabb, but he's become more than that. 

His penalty killing work is highlighted by his improved play with the puck. He's cleaner with his breakouts and moves the puck efficiently, and it's why he's worked so well next to Shea Theodore or Kaedan Korczak.

In addition to his puck-moving, the 2024-25 campaign saw McNabb equal his career-high in goals (5) and record the third-highest point total of his career (20). He also averaged the second-most ice time of his career, 20:07, and recorded over 20 minutes for the third time in his career. 

Earlier this season, the Davidson, SK, native signed a three-year contract extension, which will keep him with the Golden Knights until he is 37 years old. His 6'4 frame and hockey IQ should help him stay in top form despite being considered one of the slowest skaters in the NHL. Since he arrived in Vegas, McNabb has been a safety blanket for each coach, and he'll continue to be vital to the team's defensive success. 

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 to never miss a story.

Golden Knights Sticking With Lines That Have WorkedThe Vegas Golden Knights flamed out in the first round of the playoffs last year to the Dallas Stars in large part due to HC Bruce Cassidy’s inability to find the best lines. The blame can’t all be put on him as the Golden Knights were ravaged with injuries and did not have enough time to build chemistry among linemates.  Storylines Abound When In Opening Round Series Between Golden Knights And Wild, Including Several Head-To-Head MatchupsLAS VEGAS -- There are storylines aplenty across every NHL Playoff series, and will be as we get closer to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Laval Rocket ended its season with a 5-4 win over the Belleville Senators. Since the Montreal Canadiens had already clinched the league’s championship, coach Pascal Vincent opted to rest some of his regulars and iced his “B” lineup.

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Those who didn’t benefit from a night off were Florian Xhekaj, Owen Beck, and recently signed goaltender Jacob Fowler. The young netminder gave up four goals on 31 shots, finishing his night with a .871 save percentage. Not a brilliant result, to say the least, but Laval’s defense was not as strong as it usually is.

Beck, Tuch, and Noel Hoefenmayer each picked up a goal while Xhekaj scored a pair, including the overtime winner. Now that the season is over, we can say just how impressive the youngest Xhekaj’s first professional season has been.

He finishes the year with 24 goals and 11 assists for 35 points, but he also put up 175 penalty minutes, meaning he entered a very select club. Only three other players in AHL history have scored at least 20 goals while putting up at least 150 penalty minutes.

Shaun Van Allen scored 25 goals and 182 penalty minutes with the Cape Breton Oilers in 1990-91, but he was 24 years old and in his fourth pro season. He went on to play 794 games in the NHL.  

Zenon Konopka scored 24 goals and racked up 194 penalty minutes in 2007-08 with the Syracuse Crunch, but he was 27 years old and in his sixth professional season. He went on to play 346 games in the NHL.

Former Hab Cédric Paquette was the last to accomplish the feat in 2013-14 with the Crunch. He’s the only one, aside from Xhekaj, who can do it in his first professional season. He played 448 games in the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019-20. He played his last 24 NHL games with the Canadiens.

There’s no guarantee that Xhekaj will be able to have that kind of career, but his first season certainly is an encouraging sign, and he looks like a good candidate for an energy line in Montreal down the line. This season, he also pulverised the rookie goal scoring record in Laval which stood at 17. When he scored the game-winning goal in overtime on Saturday night, he celebrated in a particular fashion, not taking the time to celebrate with his teammates and heading straight to the dressing room, as if to say, “Time to get on with the real business!”

Florian Xhekaj marque le but de la victoire et ne perd pas de temps pour se rendre aux douches ! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/uy4QVlI7jm

— RDS (@RDSca) April 20, 2025

Thanks to winning the league championship, the Rocket has a bye for the first round of the playoffs and will face the winner of the Cleveland Monsters—Toronto Marlies duel. A team only needs to win three games to move on to the division semifinal. The Monsters have won seven of the eight duels between the two sides this season and look to be the favorites in that series.

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