Wild vs Golden Knights 2-3: Vegas edge Minnesota in OT to take 3-2 series lead in NHL playoffs
The Vegas Golden Knights once again proved their overtime mettle, edging the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in a dramatic Game 5 showdown of the Western Conference First Round on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena.
The win gives Vegas a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 6.
Brett Howden sealed the deal for Vegas with a lightning-quick one-timer at 4:05 into overtime, finishing a slick backhand setup from Tanner Pearson, who drew in two defenders below the goal line before slipping the puck to Howden at the bottom of the left circle.
"They play tight defensively, so for them to kind of have a quick breakdown like that... I just tried to get it off quick," Howden said postgame.
This marks the second consecutive overtime victory for the Golden Knights, following their 4-3 win in Game 4. They now head to St. Paul for Game 6 on Thursday with a chance to clinch the series.
William Karlsson opened the scoring for Vegas with a short-handed goal at 8:25 of the first period, thanks to a beautiful feed from Jack Eichel, who created the chance by stealing a pass and leading a breakaway.
"He had like three guys on him, and then he just slid it over to me—empty net," Karlsson recalled.
But the Wild hit right back just 13 seconds later, as Kirill Kaprizov converted on the same power play with a sharp one-timer off a Mats Zuccarello assist.
Mark Stone restored Vegas' lead at 13:24 of the first, firing a one-timer from just inside the blue line.
Minnesota's Matt Boldy then tied things up in the third, finishing a slick pass from Joel Eriksson Ek and maneuvering around Alex Pietrangelo to beat Adin Hill glove side.
The game appeared to tilt in Minnesota's favor late in regulation when Ryan Hartman found the net with 1:15 remaining. However, Vegas successfully challenged for offside, nullifying the goal after a review.
'It was a great pickup by [video coach Dave Rogowski],' said Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy. 'It saved our butt. We caught a break, took a breath, and got back to our game.'
Vegas goaltender Adin Hill turned aside 20 shots, while Minnesota's Filip Gustavsson made 23 saves before leaving due to illness after the second period. Veteran Marc-Andre Fleury stepped in and made six saves in relief.
Despite the loss, Wild coach John Hynes remained hopeful:
'It's a race to four, not to three. The series is competitive.'
Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday, 7:30 PM ET in Minnesota, where the Wild will try to extend the series to a Game 7 and the Golden Knights will aim to close things out.
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