Vegas was bounced in the first round in a seven-game loss to the Dallas Stars. Hertl scored once and was minus-6, a shell of the player he’s been historically. It’s different now. Healthy, he’s a player who gives defensemen nightmares in the attacking zone, a raging bull that can’t be controlled and only occasionally contained.

It all added up to the decisive play that swung momentum to the Vegas Golden Knights in a 3-2 Game 6 victory that ended the Wild’s season Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center. Eichel scored his only goal of the series,

After five quiet games to start the first round, the Vegas Golden Knights’ captain broke through with a great performance in Thursday night’s Game 6 to eliminate the Minnesota Wild. He scored the eventual game-winning — and series-clinching — goal,