For Game 2, Hartman took over as pivot on the third line, and Hynes put playoff rookie Marco Rossi on the fourth line. Hartman had an assist a 5-2 Wild win that evened the series at a game apiece. The move paid off even more in Thursday’s Game 3, when Hartman had another assist, and Rossi scored a goal and assisted on another in 5-2 triumph.

Ivan Barbashev chipped in a rebound at 17:26 of overtime to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild.

Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) battle for the puck during the third period of Game 3 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series Thursday, April 24, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) AP