Wild at Golden Knights, Western Conference 1. Round game 1 Preview

Las Vegas – Zeev Buium will be the first player in the history of Minnesota Wild to celebrate its NHL-DeBüt in the Stanley Cup playoffs in game 1 of the Western Conference First Round Series against the Vegas Golden Knights in the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday (10 p.m.

The 19-year-old defender has practiced Minnesota in the past three days and took skate in the morning. It is combined with the veteran Zach Bogosian, who played 17 seasons in the NHL.

“I am very, very excited,” said Buium after the 45-minute practice. “I am only very grateful for the opportunity. I mean that these boys have developed all the season, so I just want to go out and do what I can help.”

Buium said his parents will be present for game 1. He joked that he was not sure whether he had to do the traditional rookie round because it is a playoff game on the street.

“I’ll do what you tell me,” he said with a laugh.

Buium, a selection in the first round (No. 12) of The Wild in the NHL design of 2024, had 48 points (13 goals, 35 templates) in 41 games and an average of 27:03 ICE Time per game as a second game at the University of Denver. He was selected as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top hockey player of the NCAA men, an all-American team of the NCAA, as NCCHC player of the year (NCCHC) and the NCHC offensive defender of the year. He was one of two players who were a unanimous selection for the All-Nchc First Team.

His teammates are happy about what he may be able to attack.

“It is a cool experience for him, that’s sure. It is something that he will never forget,” said defender and wild captain Jared Spurgeon.

Buium that replaces Jon Merrill is the only change for both teams in game 1.

For Vega’s coach Bruce Cassidy, he is curious how his team will react at the beginning of the playoffs whether it will be able to feed the energy of the crowd or be at the beginning due to the increased emotions of art.

“I think it is human nature to increase,” said Cassidy. “We want to separate it, but do not run it out. Don’t run around and be this guy. If you are not a physical presence out there, I don’t want a guy who hits hits, normally does not beat because it is the playoffs. Just be the best version of you.”

Here is a breakdown of game 1:

Wild: Minnesota lost to Vegas in the post -season and dropped a series with seven games in the first round in 2021. You have also lost all three regular season games against the Golden Knights this season, but you don’t say anything about it. The strikers Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson EK rounded themselves into shape after they were injured for a large part of the second half of the regular season. Kaprizov missed 41 games, but had six points in his last six seasons (two goals, four templates). Eriksson EK played the last four games and scored the goal in Minnesota’s last season game against the Anaheim Ducks, who sent the game into the extension, and provided the necessary point to secure this matchup.

Golden Knight: Vegas expected to play this series under 5-to-5. It took a league depth 174 smaller punishments, an NHL record. The wilderness took twelfth place in punishments. But Cassidy believes that his team can punish Minnesota if it requires punishments. The golden knights were second place in the league, converted 28.3 percent of their power games and floated over 30 percent for a large part of the season.