LAS VEGAS – First place in the West Division is up for grabs Monday when the Wild kicks off a four-game road trip against the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights currently hold the top spot and are only one point ahead of the Wild.
"We'll be ready," winger Zach Parise said. "We're excited about the challenge, and these guys have been one of the best teams in the West since they started. We're excited about it, to see how we match up against them, and we'll give it out best."
Vegas will face goalie Cam Talbot, who made 27 saves Friday during a win over Los Angeles that was Talbot's return from the NHL's COVID protocols. Talbot will be backed up by Kaapo Kahkonen, whose role in the NHL was solidified Monday morning after Edmonton scooped Alex Stalock off waivers.
"I don't think he's surprised anyone," coach Dean Evason said. "I think we watched his development and talked about his development last year, clearly. We saw him in games last year for us, so we've had a firsthand look last year of what was going on with him and how he was playing the game. Clearly, he's continuing to do that this year."
The rest of the Wild lineup will remain the same, as Marcus Johansson (upper-body injury) did not make the trip.
"We're not super concerned," Evason said about Johansson's situation.
