One Minnesota Wild player is making his NHL debut in Game 1 of the team’s playoff series against the Golden Knights on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena.
The Golden Knights swept their season series with the Minnesota Wild, but take those games with a grain of salt.
The Knights faced three different goaltenders in their three wins. The Wild were also missing star left wing Kirill Kaprizov in two of those defeats, and down center Joel Eriksson Ek for one.
That means things should be different when the two teams, now both fully healthy, begin their first-round playoff series at 7 p.m. Sunday at T-Mobile Arena.
“You do build some confidence against teams if you beat them, no matter who is in the lineup,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “That can also help you in a positive way or work against you in a negative way if it’s in your head if you haven’t had success. I think, for the most part, that all gets thrown out the window. We don’t put too much stock into it.”
Getting Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek back late in the regular season was huge for the Wild. Kaprizov had 56 points in 41 games this season, while Eriksson Ek had 29 points in 46 games.
Center William Karlsson and his line with left wing Victor Olofsson and right wing Reilly Smith will likely be tasked with slowing Minnesota’s star-studded top line down. Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek are skating with right wing Matt Boldy, who led the Wild with 27 goals and 73 points in 82 games this season.
“Try to keep them to the outside as much as possible,” Karlsson said. “Kaprizov is one of the best forwards in the league and he’s going to try and drive their offense. … I think he’s the key.”
Minnesota will also have a new player in its lineup Sunday. Defenseman Zeev Buium, the 12th overall pick at last year’s draft at Sphere, is expected to make his NHL debut. Buium, 19, was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award for the best player in college hockey this season at the University of Denver.
The Knights’ lineup should have no surprises. Left wing Brett Howden is expected to skate on the fourth line, while left wing Tanner Pearson will be a healthy scratch.
Projected lineup
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Mark Stone
Brandon Saad — Tomas Hertl — Pavel Dorofeyev
Victor Olofsson — William Karlsson — Reilly Smith
Brett Howden — Nicolas Roy — Keegan Kolesar
Brayden McNabb — Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin — Zach Whitecloud
Nic Hague — Alex Pietrangelo
Adin Hill
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.

The Golden Knights are entering the playoffs with a healthy roster that had time to build chemistry during the season, a change from a year ago.
Adin Hill has done it all as the Golden Knights’ goalie, except enter the playoffs as the starter. He’ll do that Sunday when the Knights open against Minnesota.
Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore, despite missing time with a broken wrist, may have just finished his best NHL season to date.
The Golden Knights finished the season with the NHL’s second-best power play. Their work on the man advantage could be a big boost in the playoffs.
Pavel Dorofeyev, who led the Golden Knights with 35 goals this season, hopes to keep up his incredible scoring pace when the playoffs begin Sunday.
Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, after a 94-point season, deserves to be in consideration for the mantle of the NHL’s best two-way player.
The Golden Knights are the favorites at the Westgate SuperBook to win the Stanley Cup, topping a group of 10 teams with odds of 12-1 or less.
Here’s a breakdown of the Golden Knights’ first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
Game 1 of the Golden Knights’ first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild will take place Sunday at T-Mobile Arena. Here is the full schedule.
The annual Battle for Vegas charity softball game is returning to Las Vegas Ballpark this summer, with a new captain for the Raiders.
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