Howden's Short-Handed Laser in Double Overtime Sends Golden Knights Past Mammoth, Forces Game 6

Vegas is still alive. The Golden Knights just refused to go away, with Howden burying a short-handed goal 5:28 into the second overtime period to beat the Mammoth in Game 5 and keep their playoff run breathing.

This was a marathon. Vegas needed everything they had, and then some, to force a Game 6. Dorofeyev absolutely took over the first 40 minutes, becoming the first Golden Knight to notch a postseason hat trick in a single game. That's the kind of firepower you need when every possession matters and the margin for error is zero in the playoffs.

Momentum Shifts and Mammoth Pushback

The Mammoth didn't roll over, though. Keller connected with Crouse to put Utah back ahead at one point, showing they weren't going to make this easy. Yamamoto and Guenther kept the pace grinding with a rush goal that tied it back up. This wasn't a blowout. This was a heavyweight fight that went the distance.

Marino opened the scoring early with a rebound snipe in the first period, but in a playoff series that's gone this deep, one early goal isn't enough. The Mammoth answered, and the teams traded chances for three periods, unable to put each other away. So it went to overtime.

Short-Handed Heroics End It

In double OT, when both teams are exhausted and desperation sets in, Howden found space off the boards and snapped home the short-handed winner. Game 5 goes to Vegas. Game 6 is a must-play situation now.

The Golden Knights forced a Game 6 and the Mammoth's season is on the brink. For Vegas, it's one more chance to stay alive. For Utah, it's elimination territory coming up next.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.