The Vegas Golden Knights avoided elimination with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild. Ivan Barbashev scored the decisive goal, marking his first playoff tally after a strong regular season. Nicolas Roy and Tomas Hertl contributed significantly with a goal and an assist each, while Shea Theodore also found the net. Adin Hill was solid in net, stopping 29 shots. The Wild, despite three goals from Marco Rossi, Marcus Foligno, and Jared Spurgeon, struggled in overtime.

This win ties the series at 2-2, shifting momentum back to Vegas. Coach Bruce Cassidy emphasized the importance of regaining home ice advantage and maintaining composure despite the challenges faced. The teams will face off again in Game 5 in Vegas, setting the stage for a competitive finish to the series.

The Minnesota Wild faced a rollercoaster of emotions during their recent playoff matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. After a dramatic overtime defeat in Game 4, the series is tied at 2-2, with the Golden Knights regaining home-ice advantage. Critical mistakes, such as Jake Middleton's fumbled exit pass, and controversial officiating decisions led to a heartbreaking ending for the Wild, as Ivan Barbashev scored the winning goal.

Wild coach John Hynes emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, stating how much he values the team's resilience. Players like Marcus Foligno and captain Jared Spurgeon echoed this sentiment, focusing on performance rather than complaints about officiating. With the playoff atmosphere intensifying, the Wild must regroup and refocus ahead of their next game, as they aim to capitalize on their strengths and surmount the challenges posed by their opponents.

In a thrilling overtime contest, Ivan Barbashev scored the decisive goal to help the Vegas Golden Knights defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-3, leveling the first-round playoff series. Nicolas Roy and Tomas Hertl contributed with a goal and assist each, while Shea Theodore also found the net. Adin Hill made a critical 29 saves, showcasing strong defensive play.

The Golden Knights rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the third period, with Roy tying the game during a power play, followed by a goal from Hertl. However, the Wild answered quickly, with Jared Spurgeon tying the game shortly after. Barbashev's game-winner came after a chaotic scramble in front of the net, marking his first goal of the playoffs after a 23-goal regular season.

Game 5 will take place in Vegas, and both teams are poised for a fierce matchup as they fight for supremacy in this tightly contested series.

As the NHL season progresses, it's essential to evaluate fantasy hockey rosters and identify players who may no longer be worth holding onto. While some stars like Brady Tkachuk may be struggling statistically, their underlying usage suggests a rebound is imminent. In contrast, players like Thatcher Demko and Charlie Lindgren are becoming less reliable, with poor statistics indicating it's time for managers to explore trade options or replacements on the waiver wire.

For instance, Lindgren is overshadowed by Logan Thompson's outstanding performance in Washington, making him less valuable in fantasy terms. Similarly, Jake DeBrusk's recent output has been lackluster, and while patience may be warranted for Elias Pettersson and Sam Bennett, other players like Casey Mittelstadt, Trevor Moore, and Tyson Foerster are better off being dropped as they struggle to contribute meaningfully. Meanwhile, others like Pavel Buchnevich and Ivan Barbashev still have the potential to turn it around, provided they are given more playing time. It's crucial for fantasy managers to make these tough decisions to optimize their lineups moving forward.