LAS VEGAS — With just two minutes remaining in regulation, it seemed the Vegas Golden Knights were destined to return to Minnesota on the verge of elimination.
However, in a chaotic sequence that saw the Wild`s potential winning goal initially confirmed by video review only to be overturned moments later following a challenge from Vegas, the Golden Knights were given new life and managed to force overtime.
Brett Howden then netted the game-winning goal 4:05 into the extra period on Tuesday night, giving the Golden Knights a 3-2 victory and putting Vegas within one game of advancing from the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
“It saved our bacon,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said regarding the offside challenge. “We`ve got a minute left in the game. I`m not saying we couldn`t have come back, but that`s tough, right?”
The Golden Knights now hold a 3-2 lead in the series as they head back to St. Paul for Game 6 on Thursday night. Vegas, the 2023 Stanley Cup champions and holders of the second-best record in the Pacific Division this season, are aiming to reach the second round for the fifth time in their eight-year history.
Meanwhile, Minnesota will look to avoid another early playoff exit. The Wild`s last series victory was in 2015. They had a chance to potentially secure the series themselves, but the Golden Knights have now claimed back-to-back victories in overtime.
“The game was another 50-50 game,” Wild coach John Hynes commented. “It`s the playoffs. Sometimes it goes well for you and sometimes it doesn`t, but we`ve got another one coming up, and that`s where our focus is.”
William Karlsson and Mark Stone also scored for the Golden Knights, and Jack Eichel provided two assists, adding significantly to his single assist from the first four games. Adin Hill made 20 saves in net.
For the Wild, goals came from Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, with Joel Eriksson Ek assisting on both. Kaprizov has been a consistent offensive threat, recording at least one point in every game of the series for a total of nine. Boldy leads both teams with five goals this postseason. Filip Gustavsson stopped 23 of 25 shots before being replaced by former Golden Knight Marc-Andre Fleury at the start of the third period due to illness, according to the Wild.
Fleury, who remains a fan favorite in Vegas, made six saves, though he didn`t face his first shot until just 6:15 remained in the third period. His appearance set a new record for goaltenders, competing in the playoffs for an 18th year, surpassing the previous mark held by Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur.
The Wild seemed on the verge of victory when Ryan Hartman scored with just 1:15 left. Officials reviewed the play for a potential kick, but after initially ruling it a good goal, the Golden Knights challenged for offside on Gustav Nyquist. Video review upheld the challenge, disallowing the goal and keeping the game tied at 2-2.
This dramatic turn of events set the stage for Howden`s winner, his third goal of the series. He received a pass from Tanner Pearson from behind the net and fired a shot from just inside the left circle that found the back of the net.
“Pearson drawing two guys to him left me open,” Howden explained. “They play tight defensively, so for them to kind of have a quick breakdown like that and Pearson to make a great play, especially on his backhand, just put me alone in front there. I just tried to get it off quick.”
In the first period, the teams exchanged special teams goals just 13 seconds apart during the same power play. Eichel set up Karlsson on a 2-on-1 breakaway for a shorthanded goal. The Wild quickly responded when Mats Zuccarello connected with Kaprizov on a cross-ice pass to even the score.
Mark Stone then restored the Golden Knights` lead with 6:36 remaining in the opening period.
Minnesota had a prime opportunity to tie the game again when Zuccarello exited the penalty box and found himself on a clear breakaway against Hill. However, Zuccarello lost control of the puck, allowing the Golden Knights to maintain their advantage.
The score remained 2-1 until Matt Boldy netted the tying goal from in front of the net 3:31 into the third period.
This game marked the 100th playoff appearance in the Golden Knights` history. Only the Edmonton Oilers have played as many playoff games in their first eight seasons.
Vegas has a remarkable record of 41 consecutive playoff victories when they score three or more goals.
Tristan Blackwood