Wild gameday 7 p.m. vs. Vegas • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM

'Two teams that don't want to start off 0-2'

Preview: The Wild (0-1) plays its home opener against defending Western Conference champion Vegas (0-1), which opened Thursday with a 5-2 loss at home to Philadelphia. The Golden Knights had a memorable inaugural season in finishing at the top of the Pacific Division before losing to the Washington Capitals in five games for the Stanley Cup, but they went 0-3 against the Wild, losing 4-2, 5-2 and 4-2 in three meetings. Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said the scenario this time around is different: "In Game 1, they actually came and took the lead in the third period, but we got two goals late in the third period to win. But they played in Winnipeg the night before. Game 2, I just thought we played better here. Game 3 was a pretty emotional game and a must-game for us, and they were in the midst of their lone little losing spell at the close of the season," Boudreau said. "They're going to be rested and coming off a loss, and we should be rested and coming off a loss. So two teams that don't want to start off 0-2 are going to be playing."

Players to watch: Last year's Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner F William Karlsson tallied 78 points playing in all 82 games for Vegas. F Jonathan Marchessault was just behind him with 75 points.

Numbers: C Eric Staal led the Wild with six points vs. Vegas last season. … The Wild was one of only two teams not to lose to Vegas last year. The Islanders went 2-0 against the Golden Knights.

Injuries: Wild F Luke Kunin (knee) is out. For Vegas, F Cody Eakin (lower body), F Alex Tuch (lower body) and F David Clarkson (back) are out.

Megan Ryan