The Vegas Golden Knights are set to host the Utah Mammoth in Game 1 of their first-round NHL playoff series on Sunday night. The Golden Knights, who finished the regular season with an impressive 7-0-1 record under coach John Tortorella, are favored as they face the Mammoth, who secured a playoff spot despite a recent 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Golden Knights center Jack Eichel remarked on the unique nature of playoffs, stating that every game is independent of prior momentum. Utah's Clayton Keller is riding high, having registered 16 assists in his last 10 games, the most in the NHL during that span. Former Golden Knight Nate Schmidt, now with the Mammoth, expressed excitement about returning to Las Vegas, anticipating a vibrant playoff atmosphere. Coach Tortorella is testing a new top line featuring Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Mark Stone, aiming to leverage their offensive capabilities while ensuring defensive responsibilities are met.