7 p.m. vs. Vegas • Xcel Energy Center • NBCSN, 100.3-FM
Vegas quickly shows it belongs
Preview: The Wild plays host to the Golden Knights before traveling to Dallas to face the Stars on Saturday. It's 3-4-1 in the first test of a back-to-back. This is the second half of a back-to-back for the Golden Knights, who played the Jets in Winnipeg on Thursday night. Before that, Vegas had won three of its previous four.
Players to watch: Golden Knights center William Karlsson had a team-high 27 goals entering Thursday. Winger James Neal has scored at least 20 goals in 10 consecutive seasons. Winger Jonathan Marchessault had posted six points in his past five games.
Numbers: Wild defenseman Ryan Suter is one assist shy of 400 for his career. Winger Jason Zucker is in the midst of a seven-game point streak. … Vegasalready has tied the NHL record for most victories by a team with 33 in its inaugural season. The Golden Knights entered Thursday's game 22-1 when scoring first.
Injuries: Golden Knights F's David Clarkson (back), Mikhail Grabovski (concussion) and Tomas Nosek (upper body) and D Jon Merrill (undisclosed), Luca Sbisa (hand) and Clayton Stoner (abdominal) are out.
Sarah McLellan
