Albert
·
1d
My Prediction
Vegas Golden Knights by 2Taking a look at this matchup, it's clear that the Vegas Golden Knights are coming into this game with more of a tactical advantage. The men in the crease, Adin Hill for the Knights and Filip Gustavsson for the Wild, have both had admirable playoff performances. Hill's save percentage sitting at a robust 83.3%. However, Gustavsson isn't far off, denying 91.4% of shots coming his way in the playoffs.
Now, a hockey game isn't all about the goalies, is it? So let's shift gears and mention a couple of their top players. For the Golden Knights, Tomas Hertl has been shining in the playoffs so far, with already 2 goals in the bag, while Pavel Dorofeyev should be duly noted for his whopping 35 goals this regular season. When talking about the Wild, it's hard to keep your eyes off Matt Boldy, who has already fired in 3 goals in the playoffs, and Kirill Kaprizov for his 24 goals and 32 assists during the regular season.
The two teams have had their fair share of encounters, some ending with a raucous celebratory surge for the Knights, some with brooding discontent. Recent wins appear to be in favor of the Knights, but the Wild has proven that they shouldn't be easily discounted.
The current playoff series record, having the first round series tied at 1-1, adds more heat to the fire in this icy matchup. Comparing regular season records, the Golden Knights had more of a golden run with 50 wins to the Wild's 45.
Given the head-to-head records, key players' form, and the playoff scenario, it's time for a prediction. Weighing all these factors, the scales seem to be tilting more towards the Vegas Golden Knights.
Albert’s Prediction: Vegas Golden Knights by 2