Howden scores game-winner in overtime to give VGK 3-2 series lead

Game 5 of the first round matchup between Vegas and Minnesota was a roller coaster of emotions for both but the former prevailed in the end with an exhilarating overtime victory.

The Golden Knights defeated the Minnesota Wild, 3-2 in overtime, Tuesday, April 29 from the T-Mobile Arena.

“We know how to win, I mean we’ve proved that,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “They understand there’s highs and lows in this, and things can change in a hurry.”

With the win, Vegas now leads the series 3-2 on the heels of a second straight overtime finish. This was the first time the Knights played in consecutive overtime playoff games since Games 1 and 2 of the 2023 Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars, where the VGK also won both games.

Tuesday night’s game was the 100th playoff game in VGK franchise history. Only the Edmonton Oilers are the only other franchise in the NHL to reach that mark in their first eight years. In addition, the Golden Knights have now won 41 straight playoff games when scoring three or more goals.

Vegas will now shift their focus to Game 6, when they try to advance to at least the second round for the fifth time in their eight-year franchise history.

The Golden Knights will now try to clinch the series in Game 6 against the Wild  Thursday, May 1. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center.

With just 1:15 left in the third period, Minnesota right-wing Ryan Hartman scored to give the Wild a 3-2 lead. Initially the goal was upheld after the referees decided to video review it to see if Hartman kicked the puck in the net.

Cassidy then made the game and ultimately series altering decision to challenge the goal and it paid off after it was revealed right-wing Gustav Nyquist was offside and the goal was waved off.

“It saved our [butt],” Cassidy said. “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 game was now tied again and would soon head into another overtime session.

Just more than four minutes into the extra period, center Brett Howden netted the game-winner to send the 18,441 people in attendance at The Fortress home in a frenzy.

Howden’s goal was off assists from left wing Tanner Pearson and defenseman Nicolas Hague.

“[Pearson] drawing two guys to him left me open,” Howden said. “They play tight defensively, so for them to kind of have a quick breakdown like that and [Pearson] to make a great play and on his backhand, too, just puts me alone in front there. I just tried to get it off quick.”

It was Howden’s first goal of the series and it could not have come at a better time.

It was also Pearson and Hague’s first assists of this postseason.

“You stay even-keeled, and no matter what happens, you focus on the next shift, or the next period, or so be it,” Pearson said. “That’s the way we kind of look at it.”

Just like that, the Knights went from trailing with just a minute left in regulation to reclaiming the series lead with back-and-forth overtime win.

The VGK got the night started with a shorthanded goal by center William Karlsson with help from fellow center Jack Eichel. Karlsson’s goal to get the Golden Knights on the board was his first of these playoffs.

“[Howden] is a warrior,” Karlsson said. “He’s had a really good year, and I’m happy that he got to score, and it’s a huge goal. He’s scored a lot of huge goals for us this year. I’m happy for him, he’s a good dude and a great hockey player.”

Captain Mark Stone then lit the lamp off another assist from Eichel to wrap up the first period with a 2-1 lead. It was also Stone’s first goal of this series.

“We’ve got a lot of good players,” Stone said. “Everybody feels comfortable playing with everybody.”

Eichel was arguably the best player on the ice for the Knights, who assisted on their two goals in regulation. It was his best game of this postseason, after he only managed just one assist through the first four games. 

Vegas’ regular season point-leader now has three assists in these playoffs.

It has an up-and-down performance for goalie Adin Hill and the Knights’ defense, but his numbers in this game were impressive.

By the final buzzer, Hill wrapped up the game with 20 saves on 22 shots on goal for a .909 save percentage. He is now 3-2-0 when on the ice in this series.