In a thrilling contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Vegas Golden Knights edged out the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in overtime during Game 5 of the NHL Playoffs First Round on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The victory puts the Golden Knights ahead in the best-of-seven series, now leading three games to two, as they look to advance further in the postseason.
The game, held at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, started with high expectations, given that the series was tied at 2-2. The Golden Knights came into this game as heavy favorites, with betting odds placing them at -235 on the moneyline compared to the Wild's +192. As the puck dropped at 9:30 PM ET, both teams knew the stakes were high.
Vegas struck first with a short-handed goal from William Karlsson, who capitalized on a turnover by Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov during a Wild power play. The Golden Knights took an early 1-0 lead, but the Wild responded quickly. Just 13 seconds later, Kaprizov redeemed himself by scoring to tie the game at 1-1.
The first period continued to see back-and-forth action, with Mark Stone putting the Golden Knights back in front at 2-1. Despite the rocky start, the Wild refused to back down. They faced several challenges, including a double review that erased a potential go-ahead goal by Ryan Hartman late in the third period.
As the game progressed, Minnesota faced adversity when starting goalie Filip Gustavsson had to leave the game due to illness after two periods. Gustavsson had performed admirably, making 23 saves on 25 shots. In came veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who stepped up in his 18th postseason appearance, the most by any goalie in NHL history.
The Wild entered the third period trailing 2-1 but managed to tie the game at 2-2 thanks to a goal from Matt Boldy at 3:31. However, their joy was short-lived as Vegas challenged Hartman's goal, leading to a review that ultimately disallowed the score due to an offsides call.
In overtime, the Golden Knights capitalized on their opportunity when Brett Howden scored the game-winner just 4:05 into the extra frame. With that goal, the Golden Knights seized control of the series, and the Wild now face a must-win situation in Game 6.
Wild coach John Hynes expressed disappointment after the game, noting the challenges his team faced throughout the night, including the short-handed goal and consecutive penalties in the second period. "We have to go after them and stay aggressive. That’s been the difference in this series," said defenseman Jon Merrill, emphasizing the need for a strong response in the upcoming game.
Looking ahead, Game 6 is set for Thursday, May 1, 2025, in St. Paul, with puck drop scheduled for 6:40 PM CT. The stakes are high, as teams that take a 3-2 lead in a best-of-seven series historically win 79.2% of the time. The Wild will need to rally and find a way to overcome their recent struggles to keep their playoff hopes alive.
As the series unfolds, all eyes will be on the Wild to see how they respond to this gut-wrenching loss and whether they can force a decisive Game 7. With the Golden Knights looking to capitalize on their momentum, fans can expect another intense battle on Thursday night.
In conclusion, the Golden Knights' victory in Game 5 not only gives them the upper hand in the series but also sets the stage for a dramatic Game 6. The Wild must regroup quickly if they hope to keep their playoff dreams alive and avoid elimination. Tune in to see how this thrilling series continues to unfold.
