Baby, It’s A Wild World: 3 Observations as Ice-Cold Special Teams Doom Golden Knights Against Wild

The Vegas Golden Knights fell 4-2 to the Minnesota Wild on Monday after struggling on special teams and allowing three first-period goals in just over five minutes. Vegas fell into an early 3-0 deficit and failed to convert on all five power play opportunities. William Karlsson scored his first goal of the season off an assist from Brett Howden, but a late empty-netter sealed the win for Minnesota.

Minnesota converted on their lone power play chance while limiting Vegas to low-percentage looks and creating multiple shorthanded chances. Golden Knights head coach Ryan Craig pointed to a lapse in first-period composure as a decisive factor, though defenseman Dylan Coghlan impressed in his season debut while replacing the injured Parker Wotherspoon.