Vegas won because Howden's equalizer forced overtime and Theodore closed it out, while Vejmelka conceded 1.40 goals above average on 36 shots — in a 5-goal game, that margin was the difference.
⚡TURNING POINT
Howden's equalizer at 10:25 of the third erased Utah's 4-3 lead and stripped the home team of the close-out advantage they had built across 30 minutes of dominant comeback hockey. Vegas converted with Eichel's playmaking directly involved — the same engine that drove three assists all night — resetting the game to a state where Utah's momentum evaporated and overtime favored the better-structured road team.
🏆WHY VGK WON
1
Shorthanded Goal: 1 SHG, 0.0% power play allowed — converting a shorthanded goal while going 0-for-4 on the man-advantage completely negated Utah's penalty-kill work and added a free goal against the run of play.
2
Shot Volume: 36 shots on goal vs. 31 — sustained offensive pressure created the extra chances that produced the OT winner.
3
Eichel Impact: +/- +3, 6 SOG, 3 assists — his involvement on the tying goal and OT winner made him the game's controlling force at even strength.
📉WHY UTA LOST
1
Goaltending Margin: Vejmelka conceded 1.40 goals above average on 36 shots — in a one-goal overtime game, that gap directly cost Utah the result.
2
Third-Period Collapse Reversed: After scoring twice to take a 4-3 lead, Utah surrendered the equalizer at 10:25 and managed zero OT offense — the lead lasted under 10 minutes.
3
Giveaways: 18 giveaways vs. 22 for Vegas — Utah's puck management failures fed Vegas' transition and created the sustained 36-shot pressure that overwhelmed Vejmelka.
Three Stars
Shea Theodore1st
VGK, D
1G 0A 1P
Theodore's overtime goal ended the game directly, the single decisive moment that converted Vegas' structural pressure into a regulation win.
Brett Howden2nd
VGK, C
2G 1A 3PTOI 21:54+/- +1
Two goals including the critical equalizer at 10:25 meant Howden personally prevented Utah from closing out the game.
Clayton Keller3rd
UTA, R
1G 0A 1P7 SOGTOI 25:40
Keller generated the highest individual shot volume on the ice and scored Utah's go-ahead fourth goal, driving the comeback that nearly held.
