The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs features 16 teams in eight best-of-7 series, which start Saturday. Today, NHL.com previews the Western Conference First Round between the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild. Golden Knights: 50-22-10, 110 points Wild: 45-30-7, 97 points Season series: VGK: 3-0-0; MIN: 0-3-0 Game 1: at Vegas, TBD

It’s funny to look back now and remember that the Vegas Golden Knights’ rise to a perennial NHL power in their initial Stanley Cup Playoffs run was fraught with skepticism.

The Vegas Golden Knights are looking to make it two Stanley Cup championships in three seasons, but their poor penalty kill is a concern.