Brett Howden played the hero in Game 1 of the first-round Stanley Cup Winter Olympic ice hockey playoff series between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild, scoring twice to lead his team to a 4-2 win at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday night. The 26-year-old center found the back of the net in the first period to open scoring and sealed the victory with an empty-netter in the dying seconds of the Winter Olympic ice hockey game. His efforts gave Vegas a crucial early edge in the best-of-seven Western Conference Winter Olympic ice hockey matchup and continued the Golden Knights’ strong tradition of success in playoff openers, improving their record to 9-2 in such Winter Olympic ice hockey games at home.
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Winter Olympic 2026: Balanced Offense Lifts Vegas
Beyond Howden’s standout performance, the Golden Knights benefited from strong contributions across the roster. Tomas Hertl added a goal and an assist, displaying veteran poise and a physical presence throughout the game. Pavel Dorofeyev also scored, notching his first career playoff goal in the second period, an important milestone for the young forward. Vegas goaltender Adin Hill was solid in net, making 18 saves on 20 shots. While not heavily tested, Hill made several timely stops, especially during a third-period push by the Wild that briefly narrowed the score. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Team USA Dethrones Canada to Win 2025 Women’s Olympic Ice Hockey Title
Wild Stay Competitive but Fall Short
The Minnesota Wild, despite the final scoreline, were competitive throughout the contest. Matt Boldy accounted for both Minnesota goals, showcasing his offensive flair with help from linemate Kirill Kaprizov, who assisted on both tallies. Boldy’s second goal, which came early in the third period, cut Vegas’s lead to 3-2 and brought life back into the Wild’s bench. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson stopped 23 of 26 shots, keeping his team within striking distance. However, Minnesota was unable to convert on late opportunities, and their net remained empty in the final minute as Vegas iced the game.
Golden Knights Dominate Early and Control the Pace
The Golden Knights set the tone early, dominating possession and generating several high-danger scoring chances within the opening minutes of the first period. Vegas came out with a clear sense of urgency and purpose, applying sustained pressure in the offensive zone that left the Wild scrambling to regroup. Brett Howden’s opening goal, scored off a well-timed rebound and slick puck movement, electrified the home crowd and put the Knights firmly in control. The early strike not only gave Vegas the scoreboard advantage but also established momentum that carried through the first half of the game.
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Throughout the contest, the Golden Knights demonstrated superior puck management and discipline, especially in the neutral zone, where they consistently broke up Minnesota’s attempts to transition quickly. Their ability to clog passing lanes and force turnovers disrupted the Wild’s rhythm and limited their zone entries, forcing them to dump and chase more often than they preferred. This tactical efficiency proved to be a major factor in controlling the pace of the game.
Winter Olympic 2026: Key Turnovers and Clutch Execution Seal the Victory
A pivotal moment occurred midway through the second period when Minnesota, looking to even the score, committed a costly turnover near their blue line. Tomas Hertl pounced on the opportunity, picking off a weak clearing attempt and skating in uncontested before snapping a shot past Filip Gustavsson to extend the lead to 3-1. That sequence highlighted Vegas’s opportunistic nature and their ability to capitalize on the slightest defensive lapses.
Although Minnesota showed resilience and narrowed the gap early in the third period with Matt Boldy’s second goal—set up beautifully by a cross-ice feed from Kirill Kaprizov—the comeback effort ultimately fell short. The Wild generated a few solid scoring chances in the final ten minutes, particularly during a power play and a six-on-five situation after pulling their goalie, but they were unable to solve Adin Hill, who stood tall when it mattered most. Defensive shot blocking and tight coverage from the Vegas blue line corps helped protect the lead as time ticked away.
In the final seconds, with the Minnesota net still empty and pressure mounting, Howden sealed the victory with his second goal of the night, guiding the puck into the open cage and sending the T-Mobile Arena crowd into celebration. The Golden Knights’ ability to maintain composure under pressure and execute in crucial moments made the difference in this tightly contested playoff opener.
Winter Olympic Ice Hockey: The International Battleground
While the NHL playoffs are at the forefront of North American hockey, the sport’s international prestige is most widely celebrated at the Winter Olympic. Olympic ice hockey unites players from various professional leagues and nations, showcasing elite competition in a unique format. The Olympic tournament is played on international-sized ice—larger than NHL rinks—which promotes a faster, more fluid style of play and emphasizes technical skill and spacing.
In recent years, Olympic hockey has delivered unforgettable moments. At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, Finland secured its first-ever gold medal in men’s ice hockey, defeating the Russian Olympic Committee team in the final. Meanwhile, the Canadian women’s team returned to the top of the podium by outlasting their long-time rivals, Team USA, in a hard-fought gold medal game. These matchups, steeped in history and national pride, continue to capture the imagination of fans worldwide.
Looking ahead to the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 d’Ampezzo, Italy, anticipation is high for the possible return of NHL players to Olympic competition—a scenario last seen in 2014 in Sochi. While agreements between the NHL, the International Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are still being negotiated, the potential for the world’s top players to represent their countries again would add even more excitement to an already storied event.
Winter Olympic 2026: Knights Aim to Press Advantage in Game 2
Game 2 between the Golden Knights and Wild is scheduled for Tuesday night in Las Vegas before the series moves to Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul for Games 3 and 4. With Vegas holding the 1-0 lead, Minnesota will need to make tactical adjustments and find a way to contain Howden and the Knights’ depth scoring. Special teams and goaltending will likely play a greater role as the series progresses, especially if games tighten and physicality increases. For now, Vegas holds the momentum—and with a hot hand in Howden and a resilient team structure—they’ve drawn first blood in what’s shaping up to be a highly competitive series.
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