Barbashev helps Golden Knights even series with 4-3 OT win over Wild

After losing back-to-back contests, the Vegas Golden Knights entered Saturday’s Game 4 tilt at Xcel Energy Center in desperate need of a win. It wasn’t easy, and it took more than 77 minutes to do so, but they took care of business and came away with a gutsy 4-3 overtime win.

Ivan Barbashev scored the game-winning goal with 2:34 remaining in overtime to lift Vegas to the come-from-behind win. It marked the first time all season that Minnesota lost when leading after two periods.

The best-of-seven series is now tied at 2-2.

Vegas’ offense was all Shea Theodore for the first 25 minutes of the game. For the most part, if it didn’t come from Theodore, it didn’t come at all.

That included the opening goal of the game, a power-play strike by Theodore on a seeing-eye shot through traffic at 6:47.

Jack Eichel was later credited with the secondary assist on the play for his first point of the series.

But the Wild evened things up roughly four minutes later on Marco Rossi’s second of the playoffs. It was another self-inflicted wound, as a turnover behind the net led directly to the equalizer.

Marcus Foligno gave Minnesota its first lead of the game just 1:24 into the second period. It looked like there might have been a hand pass on the play, but Vegas elected not to challenge.

The Golden Knights were the better team at 5-on-5 through two periods but trailed 2-0 in goals and 2-1 overall where it mattered. Vegas had two power plays in the middle frame but failed to capitalize on either.

They got another chance in the third when Zeev Buium took a double-minor for high sticking, setting up the biggest power play of the season. The Golden Knights didn’t have much early, but Nicolas Roy eventually broke through to reset the score, putting home a rebound through traffic after a frantic scramble in front.

The Golden Knights grabbed a 3-2 lead just past the midway mark of the third period. Vegas captain Mark Stone banked a centering bid off the leg of Tomas Hertl, who was tangled up with Ryan Hartman on the ice.

But it took the Wild less than a minute to erase that lead, as Minnesota’s captain, Jared Spurgeon, beat Adin Hill on a wraparound 54 seconds later. Kirill Kaprizov made contact with Hill, but it wasn’t clear whether or not Theodore initiated that contact. So, once again, the Golden Knights elected not to challenge.

On the very next shift, Minnesota’s Yakov Trenin got a clear-cut breakaway, but Hill came up with the biggest save of the season to keep things tied at 3-3.

With just under four minutes to go, Gustavsson made a spectacular kick save to deny Reilly Smith in front.

The Golden Knights and Wild were tied at 3-3 after regulation, setting up a series-altering, sudden-death overtime.

Joel Eriksson Ek had a great chance in overtime, but Hill came up with another clutch save. Roy was called for holding on the play, but Vegas came up with a fantastic kill.

Both teams had chances, but Barbashev had the last say. Jake Middleton fanned on a clear, and Smith collected the loose puck before sending a backhand towards the net. Barbashev was in front and put home the rebound for the series-saving tally.

“I think it all started with the faceoff,” Barbashev said. “[Roy] lost it, and we just took advantage of a turnover. [Smith] got the puck, and he kind of threw it at the net, and I just saw it laying there.”

Much like the Wild have done throughout the series, the Golden Knights made Minnesota pay for an unforced error. Barbashev’s first goal of the playoffs saved Vegas’ season.

It was a much better performance for the Golden Knights, who let Games 2 and 3 unravel but bounced back on Saturday. The Golden Knights led 46-32 in shots and 91-71 in shot attempts.

It was an intense game, with both teams trading hits and chances at both ends. The Golden Knights and Wild combined for 33 high-danger chances, requiring both goaltenders to be excellent.

Gustavsson finished the game with 43 saves on 46 shots for a .913 save percentage, but it was Hill who came out on top. The Vegas netminder turned aside 29 of 32 shots for a .908 save percentage, and he was particularly clutch down the stretch.

“That’s why he’s our No. 1 goalie,” Barbahsev said. “He’s been huge for us all season long. We’ve had our struggling moments during the season, but when it’s big moments, he’s always there for us.”

Vegas needed better efforts from its best players, including Hill, Eichel and Stone. All three delivered, as did Barbashev, Smith and Theodore, among others. Barbashev, Roy and Hertl all finished the game with two points, and Eichel and Stone both found the scoresheet for the first time this postseason.

Eichel may have finished with a minus-two rating, but he led all Vegas forwards in ice time with 29:57, which was second overall on the team. Eichel also was second on the team in hits with four, trailing only Roy (5). Stone was second among forwards in ice time (26:42) and tied for fourth on the team.

The only person who played more than Eichel was Theodore (30.41). After a brutal performance in Game 2, Theodore and Brayden McNabb were the Golden Knights’ best defensemen in Game 4. They both recorded an assist and were the only Vegas rearguards with positive ratings (plus-one).

Alex Pietrangelo was third on the team in ice time with 28:48, followed by McNabb (26:42) and Noah Hanifin (26:05).

The Golden Knights also finally slowed down the dynamic duo of Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, who were held to just one assist. Boldy played a game-high 33:08.

But it was Vegas’ special teams that made the ultimate difference. The power play let multiple opportunities go to waste in the second period, but it came through with critical goals in the first and third courtesy of Theodore and Roy, respectively. Plus, the penalty kill went 2-for-2, including shutting down Minnesota’s man-advantage in overtime.

With the series tied at 2-2, the Golden Knights have reestablished home-ice advantage in what is now a best-of-three matchup. The two teams will meet in Las Vegas for Game 5 on Tuesday night.