Coach's key call helps Knights defeat Wild in Game 5 in OT

Danny Webster, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Apr 30, 2025

Published in Hockey

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The Golden Knights’ season was hanging by a thread. But video coach Dave Rogowski came to save the day.

One video challenge gave the Knights new life.

Minnesota Wild center Ryan Hartman appeared to score a go-ahead goal with 1:15 remaining in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series between the two teams at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday. But coach Bruce Cassidy challenge for offsides after Rogowski indicated there was enough evidence to overturn the play.

He was right. Wild right wing Gustav Nyquist entered the offensive zone early and the goal came off the board. The game then went to overtime, where center Brett Howden scored 4:05 into the extra session to give the Knights a 3-2 win and a 3-2 series lead.

They can advance to the second round if they win Game 6 at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Fleury returns

Rogowski’s heroics capped a third period that seemed scripted by Hollywood writers.

Former Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury entered the Minnesota net after the second intermission because starter Filip Gustavsson exited with an illness. “Fleury” chants rang throughout T-Mobile Arena once more for the future Hall of Famer, who is expected to retire at the end of the season.

The Knights didn’t challenge their former netminder much despite entering the third period with a 2-1 lead. They had just three shots on goal in the third. That opened the door for the Wild to tie the game on right wing Matt Boldy’s fifth goal of the series 3:31 into the frame.

The Knights, anchored by the line changes that won them Game 4, survived Minnesota’s push. Howden scored his second career playoff overtime goal off a one-timer thanks to a backhand pass from left wing Tanner Pearson.

Center William Karlsson and captain Mark Stone also scored for the Knights, while center Jack Eichel had two assists. Goaltender Adin Hill made 20 saves in the win.

Line changes work

Cassidy stuck with the changes that helped the Knights win 4-3 in overtime in Game 4 on Saturday.

His shakeup included putting Eichel and Karlsson together on one line. They looked good together early. They set the tone for the Knights on the penalty kill when Eichel forced a turnover by left wing Kirill Kaprizov and sprung a short-handed rush.

Eichel then fed Karlsson in front to give the Knights a 1-0 lead 8:25 into the first period. Kaprizov answered 13 seconds later with a one-timer from the right circle to tie the game 1-1.

The Knights’ new lines also created more traffic in front of Gustavsson. Karlsson screened the goaltender on the team’s second goal, a point shot from Stone that gave it a 2-1 lead with 6:36 remaining in the first period.

The Wild challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal was upheld by video review.

Staying alive

Minnesota’s failed challenge led to one of the Knights’ three power plays. The team, despite boasting the NHL’s second-best power play during the regular season, couldn’t capitalize on any of them.

The Knights got good looks, but couldn’t bury the Wild. Minnesota almost made them pay with Hartman’s late goal. Thanks to the sharp eyes of Rogowski, however, the Knights now have two chances to close out what’s been a grind of a series.

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