Brett Howden scores with 0.1 seconds left as Vegas Golden Knights defeat Minnesota Wild 4-2

Sunday night's game between the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild ended in thrilling fashion, as Brett Howden scored in the back of the net with just 0.1 seconds left on the clock as regulation time expired. The goal Vegas Golden Knights win 4-2 and closed out a spirited and closely fought contest that had fans holding their breath until the very end.


With Vegas up by a narrow 3-2 margin in the third period, Minnesota pulled their goalie on a desperate bid to tie. The Wild forced hard with the extra man, taking heavy shots and having a couple of chances in the waning seconds. But when the puck came loose in the neutral zone, Brett Howden picked it up and shot for the empty net.
Brett Howden's shot travelled approximately the entire length of the rink and bled along the goal line as time essentially expired. Officials consulted to examine the play and concluded the puck crossed the line with 0.1 seconds left on the clock—with no time for a face-off or counterattack.
The objective was a crushing loss for a Minnesota squad that battled after falling early. The Wild had trimmed a 2-goal hole to one in the middle of the third period and seemed set to orchestrate the comeback, but the goal in the closing minutes closed out the threat of a final-second tie.


The win makes the Vegas Golden Knights one of the most composed late-game teams in the league. Their ability to absorb pressure and pounce on mistakes remains a key part of their success.
In the meantime, the Minnesota Wild will have to go back and examine their late-game performance. While the goalie pull decision was routine, the collapse in coverage and execution gave Vegas the chance to ice the game.
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As the two teams look ahead, Sunday's game will be a reminder of just how fast fortunes change in the final moments of NHL play.