LAS VEGAS (AP) — In a thrilling Game 5 of the first-round NHL playoff series, the Minnesota Wild faced off against the Vegas Golden Knights on April 29, 2025, in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The game saw a dramatic turn of events as Minnesota goalie Filip Gustavsson was replaced by Marc-Andre Fleury after two periods due to illness, setting the stage for an intense overtime showdown.
With the Golden Knights leading 2-1 at the end of the second period, Fleury, who has become a fan favorite in Vegas, entered the game. Fleury, who was playing in his 18th playoff season, made six saves but ultimately could not prevent the Golden Knights from clinching a 3-2 victory on Brett Howden’s goal just 4:05 into overtime. This win allowed Vegas to take a 3-2 series lead, putting them one game away from advancing to the next round.
“I was excited to have a chance to play again,” Fleury said, reflecting on the atmosphere in T-Mobile Arena. “And in this building, too. In front of the crowd and get a little chant going, too, it gives you a few butterflies. That was pretty sweet, too.”
Howden’s game-winning goal was the culmination of a tense sequence where the Wild believed they had scored the go-ahead goal with just 1:15 remaining in the third period. Ryan Hartman found the back of the net, but after a video review, the goal was overturned due to an offside challenge from the Golden Knights. “It saved our (butt),” said Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy regarding the successful 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 game began with a flurry of action, as both teams exchanged goals in the first period. William Karlsson opened the scoring for Vegas with a shorthanded goal, taking advantage of a turnover. Just 13 seconds later, Kirill Kaprizov tied the game for Minnesota with a power-play goal, showcasing his scoring prowess. Mark Stone then restored Vegas’s lead with a goal later in the period, assisted by Jack Eichel, who recorded two assists in the game.
Despite Gustavsson’s strong performance, saving 23 of 25 shots before his exit, the Wild struggled to maintain their momentum. Coach John Hynes noted, “It’s the playoffs. Sometimes it goes well for you and sometimes it doesn’t, but we’ve got another one coming up, and there’s where our focus is.” The Wild now face the challenge of avoiding an early playoff exit, with their last series victory dating back to 2015.
In the third period, Matt Boldy tied the game 2-2 with a goal just 3:31 into the frame, setting up an intense final stretch. The Wild had a chance to take the lead late in the game, but the overturned goal left them frustrated as they entered overtime. Fleury’s entry into the game was a pivotal moment, as he had not played in two weeks and had to quickly adapt to the high-stakes environment.
As the extra period began, the Golden Knights capitalized on a defensive breakdown by the Wild. Howden scored the decisive goal, taking a pass from Tanner Pearson and firing it home. “(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.”
This victory marked the Golden Knights’ 100th playoff game, a milestone that only the Edmonton Oilers matched in their first eight seasons. The Golden Knights have also demonstrated their resilience, having won 41 consecutive playoff games when scoring three or more goals.
Looking ahead, Game 6 is set to take place in Minnesota on Thursday night, where the Wild will attempt to stave off elimination. With the series hanging in the balance, both teams are expected to bring their best as they vie for a spot in the second round of the playoffs. The Wild will need to find a way to capitalize on their opportunities and break their playoff drought, while the Golden Knights aim to build on their momentum and secure their advancement.
As the teams prepare for the next clash, fans are left eagerly anticipating what promises to be another electrifying chapter in this fierce playoff rivalry.
