In an electrifying playoff atmosphere, Minnesota's Filip Gustavsson was sidelined by illness after two periods, leading to Marc-Andre Fleury stepping in against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5. Fleury, a fan favorite during his tenure with the Knights, was met with resounding cheers from the crowd. This match marked his playoff encounter with his former team. Gustavsson made a commendable 23 saves on 25 shots, but the Golden Knights held a narrow 2-1 lead at the game's midpoint.

Fleury's presence added a layer of excitement to the matchup, as it was his 18th playoff season, breaking a tie with legends Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur for the most playoff seasons. With the series tied 2-2, every save and every moment counted, amplifying the intensity of the postseason. The Wild's struggle to regain their footing in the series reflected the high stakes of playoff hockey.