An Olympian saves the day for the Golden Knights in a close call against the Jets

They say all good things must come to an end. However, it was actually bad things coming to an end for the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night, as the guys in gold successfully fended off the last-place Winnipeg Jets to end a five-game losing streak dating back to December 23. It might not have been easy, but they overcame multiple deficits to earn their first overtime win in a month and salvage some points out of what'd been a brutal road trip so far.

Before I say anything else, I'd like to send my best wishes to Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury, who suffered a terrifying collision with the endboards after a check from Keegan Kolesar that resulted in him being stretchered off the ice. Thankfully, the Jets have reported that he's awake and has movement in extremities. We're all hoping for a full and speedy recovery!

VGK's clutch factor emerges after far too long in hiding

This game started like far too many of Vegas' recent ones, with the Golden Knights falling into a 2-0 hole approximately midway through the game. Offensive pressure was nonexistent, with Vegas only registering seven shots by roughly the same point.

However, a late high-sticking penalty gave the Golden Knights their second power play opportunity of the game, and captain Mark Stone subsequently scored for the fifth straight game. So much for the online fans arguing he should be left off Team Canada, eh?

Then, Brett Howden struck eight minutes into the third to tie it. Suddenly, Vegas found themselves in an unfamiliar position: they'd mounted the comeback, rather than giving it up.

What I want to really call attention to, though, is what happened next. A few minutes after Howden's equalizer, Jets sniper Kyle Connor was left all alone in the slot and cashed in, putting Winnipeg back on top with five minutes left. Normally, this is where the Golden Knights of the last few weeks would fold, rolling over and accepting their 3-2 defeat. But instead, something crazy happened:

Yep, that's right: Reilly Smith and Brandon Saad, the oft-maligned depth wingers, combined with surprisingly hot defenseman Ben Hutton to tie the game again a minute later. This sort of clutch response hasn't come easy for Vegas lately, and to have it come from a comparatively unlikely source makes it even more meaningful. Maybe it's a sign of things to come for the Original Misfit?

Fun continues to be always on a big day for Tomas Hertl

Our ever-productive, ever-reliable 2C was already having a good one, as he was named to Czechia's 2026 Olympic roster just this morning. With that in mind, he didn't let his upcoming trip to Milan distract him, as he provided the secondary assist on the aforementioned Howden game-tying goal. That wasn't all for him, however, as on another power play in overtime, he came through for Vegas yet again:

Hertl Power is in full swing, people. That overtime winner puts him at ten points in his last 10 games, as he continues to shine as one of Kelly McCrimmon's finest trade acquisitions.

Closing notes

It certainly wasn't a perfect victory. Falling into a multi-goal hole yet again, as well as allowing a late go-ahead, still points to problems with defense and momentum. Carter Hart had yet another brutal game, with an .800 save percentage in regulation, although he did make some key stops in overtime to keep Vegas alive.

Of course, needing comebacks and overtime to beat a last-place team riding a nine-game losing streak isn't exactly ideal. But for now, let's take solace in finally ending their own losing streak and hope that the Golden Knights carry some degree of momentum forward to their two-game homestand.