Preview: Wild Visit Golden Knights in Key Western Conference Matchup LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — The surging Minnesota Wild will look to solidify their playoff positioning when they visit the struggling Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Friday night. Minnesota (36-26-0) enters on a strong run, having won five of its last seven games, including a decisive 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. The Wild have been potent offensively during this stretch, scoring four or more goals in four of those wins. Defenseman Brock Faber (one goal, one assist) and forward Matt Boldy (three assists) led the charge against Tampa Bay. Vegas (28-33-0), meanwhile, is mired in a slump, having lost four consecutive games and eight of its last ten. The Golden Knights are coming off a 3-2 road loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, where their offense continued to sputter, managing just two goals for the third time in four games. A key player to watch for Minnesota is defenseman and captain Jared Spurgeon, who brings a steady, physical presence. He recorded two hits in the win over Tampa Bay. For Vegas, forward Pavel Dorofeyev has been a rare bright spot. He scored a goal in the loss to Buffalo and has points in two of his last three appearances, including a goal and an assist in a Feb. 5 win over Los Angeles. The recent head-to-head history favors the Wild. Minnesota has won both meetings this season, a 5-2 victory in Las Vegas on Dec. 29 and a 3-2 overtime win at home on Nov. 16. Following this contest, Minnesota begins a tough back-to-back set, traveling to face the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Vegas continues a four-game homestand Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST.