LAS VEGAS -- Brett Howden scored his third goal of the playoffs 4:05 into overtime to lift the Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights] to a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild], and a 3-2 series lead in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs.L Howden beat former Golden Knight and current Wild backup goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who replaced starter Filip Gustavsson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/wild-backup-goalie-marc-andre-fleury-returns-to-the-net-against-golden-knights] to start the third period. Howden recorded his second game-winning goal of the series and matched the most in a single series by a Golden Knights skater. Vegas kept Minnesota from earning a third win in the series, as the Wild held a 2-1 series lead after winning Game 3 in Saint Paul. Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday in Minnesota, at 6:30 pm Central Time. Adin Hill made 20 saves for the Golden Knights. Gustavsson stopped 23 shots for Minnesota, while Fluery made six saves in relief. The Golden Knights opened the scoring when William Karlsson scored a short-handed goal just before the midway point of the first period. Jack Eichel intercepted a pass in the defensive zone and took the puck to the other end before sending it to new linemate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/cassidy-hoping-line-changes-spark-golden-knights-in-time-for-game-5] Karlsson, who was there for the one-time tap to give Vegas a 1-0 lead. It wouldn't take long for Minnesota to respond, though, as Kirill Kaprizov notched his fifth goal of the series 13 seconds later when he one-timed Mats Zuccarello's pass to knot the game at 1-all. Mark Stone [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/captain-mark-stone-epitomizes-leadership-role-for-golden-knights] scored his first goal of the postseason later in the period when Eichel once again picked off a pass to create a turnover and carry it into Vegas' zone. Eichel sent the puck to the top of the slot, where Stone blasted a shot past Gustavsson, giving the Knights a one-goal lead once again. After a scoreless second period, the Wild got their equalizer when Matt Boldy scored with 3:31 left in the game. Minnesota winger Ryan Hartman scored what appeared to be the go-ahead goal with 1:15 left, but a coach's challenge overturned the goal when it was determined the Wild were offside. "I think once they got that goal and tied it 2-2, I thought we reset pretty well and played well third," Stone said. "It was a great challenge by (assistant coach) Dave (Rogowski), a critical point of the game. We either got a minute and 15 seconds left to try and tie the game, but he saw it right away and gets a challenge. "Once you get into the locker room, we feel comfortable again. We got a great start to overtime, started forechecking, started making plays, get pucks to the net, (Tanner Pearson) makes an incredible play, draws two guys to him and (Howden) finds the soft spot to end it." Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqLQgKIidDQklTRndnTWFoTUtFWFJvWldodlkydGxlVzVsZDNNdVkyOXRLQUFQAQ/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwiNvfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA:en] to never miss a story.
