Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 4, Golden Knights 2

Wild.com's Dan Myers gives three takeaways from the Wild's 4-2 win against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday night:

1. Jason Zucker scored one goal and assisted on another in his first-ever NHL game back in his hometown.
With more than three dozen friends and family in the crowd, the Vegas-raised, Nevada-trained Zucker buried a pretty feed from new linemate Nino Niederreiter 7:19 into the contest to stake Minnesota to an early 1-0 lead.

The Wild continued its push in the second when Zucker's buddy Charlie Coyle potted a backhanded rebound, giving Minnesota a two-goal lead 5:53 into the frame.

Continuing its outstanding push in the middle period, it was the hometown boy in the middle of everything again, outmuscling a defender behind the goal and setting up Matt Dumba in front for a three-zip advantage at 7:36.

Zucker's line in his return home: one goal and one assist with 3 shots on goal in 21:19 of ice time.
2. Alex Stalock was outstanding, especially early on.
Seeing his first action between the posts in 15 days, Stalock responded nicely to a rough outing two weeks ago in Arizona, making 26 saves in earning his 10th victory of the season.
Minnesota was forced to kill a pair of penalties in the first period, and as the old saying goes, the goalie is usually a team's best penalty killer. Stalock was just that, stopping two grade-A chances by Tomas Nosek in front, then gloving down a Shea Theodore shot from the point just as Vegas was applying serious pressure.
Stalock was tested eight times in the first period and seven more in the second, stopping all 15 shots through 40 minutes as Minnesota scored first then built on it.
3. The Wild finished the regular season 3-0-0 against the Golden Knights.
Vegas has had remarkable success this season, especially for a first-year expansion team. It defeated all but two NHL teams in its inaugural season, with the Wild and New York Islanders remaining as the only teams against which the Golden Knights remain winless.
Among their victims in year one are 29 other teams, including 13 others they has defeated at least twice. Vegas has won against Anaheim and Chicago three times and dispatched Arizona four times.
The Golden Knights had lost just eight times at home in regulation before Friday's clash.
The victory for the Wild also came as the Dallas Stars lost in overtime and the Colorado Avalanche lost in regulation earlier in the evening.
Minnesota, which notched its 40th victory, now stands three points clear of both the Avs and Stars, who hold the top wild card spot in the Western Conference based on the fact they've played one fewer game.
The Wild is also three points clear of both Los Angeles and Anaheim, who stand third in the Pacific Division and first out of the postseason, respectively.
Related:
- Watch: Zucker returns home - Watch: Locker room postgame - Zucker scores first goal in inaugural hometown return - Watch: Boudreau's postgame comments