Golden Knights, Wild Battle in Pivotal Game 5 Tonight

The Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild are tied 2-2 in their first-round NHL playoff series, with Game 5 set to take place in Las Vegas, where the Golden Knights boast one of the league's strongest home records. The series has been highly competitive, featuring alternating wins and dramatic momentum shifts, including a critical overtime victory for Vegas in Game 4 that reclaimed their home-ice advantage. Key players are returning for both teams, with the Wild regaining forward Marcus Johansson and opting for veteran Jon Merrill on defense for added experience. The winner of Game 5 will gain a significant edge, as teams leading 3-2 in a best-of-seven have historically won nearly 80% of the time. Much of the outcome may hinge on the pivotal second period, as both teams have used strong middle frames to secure leads, and the team ahead after two periods has won each game so far. Both squads are expected to play aggressively, with Vegas looking to capitalize on their home environment and Minnesota aiming to continue defying expectations.