When it comes to the concept of “Playoff Pretty” in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Game 4 on Saturday afternoon would definitely play some part in it. Ivan Barbashev scored the game winner with 2:34 left in OT to lift the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild, tying the series at two apiece. It was their first playoff win in overtime since Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against Dallas two years ago.
Given the number of questions that would’ve hovered around this team heading into Tuesday’s Game 5, it may be one of the Golden Knights' biggest wins this season. Here are my three takeaways on a soothing exhale of a Saturday in Minnesota.
Barbashev arrives with game winner, best game of the series
"Trickling in the crease, and — they score!"
— Golden Knights Radio (@VGKRadioNetwork) April 26, 2025
"Ivan Barbashev right in the blue ice! Vegas wins in overtime 4-3!"
🎙 @Dan_DUva
Ivan Barbashev is the hero in Game 4 as his OT winner evens the series 2-2. pic.twitter.com/0A6BkZOIq3
In the first three games of the series, Ivan Barbashev was pointless with a combined three shots on goal and a -3. Outside of a few checks here and there, he was about as invisible as you can get for a top-line winger. But on Saturday, he had a goal and a helper on three shots. For the first time in the postseason, we saw the Barbie we saw in that Stanley Cup run rack up 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 22 games.
If he can string more games like this one together, it’ll be a boon both in this series and the next one, whether it’s Los Angeles or Edmonton. You can also say the same thing about Mark Stone, who, along with a +1 (his first of the series), had a stylish-looking assist on the Tomas Hertl goal in the third that’d look just as at home on an Air Hockey table.
Adin Hill proves Bruce Cassidy right with gutsy effort
I’ll admit to feeling a tiny bit uneasy upon hearing Adin Hill was starting Game 4 over Akira Schmid. Giving up eight goals in back-to-back games that smelled less than lemony fresh will do that. After a slightly shaky-looking start, Hill steadily got better on the way to a 29-save win, his first playoff road win since Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against Florida two years ago.
Whether he can string it along in Game 5 and beyond will depend not just on his performance, but also the performance of the blueline who played really well in that OT. One thing is for sure though: this kind of game from Hill goes a long way to settle those nerves in the fan base.
Have a day, Nicolas Roy!
Amidst all the top-line shininess, there was one name who had just as big a Saturday as anyone: Nicolas Roy. He scored on the power play early in the third, starting the full "popcorn movie" vibe that populated the rest of that period and the overtime. He also had the assist, perfectly nudging the puck for Barbashev to bang home. It was his first playoff goal since Game 4 of the Covid-adjacent semifinal against Montreal back in 2021. It was also his first multipoint game since Game 7 of the first round that year… Against these same Minnesota Wild.
Next on the Marquee:
There’s a little extra rest before a return to the Fortress for Game 5 on Tuesday. The time is set for 6:30 PM PST. Not sure how the big networks determine that, or when the decision is made. But it certainly won’t be another 8 P.M. start, which is a small win in its own right. As for the game, as awesome as a big night from Jack Eichel would be, I’d take another supremely quiet night from Mr. Kaprizov and Mr. Boldy. Maybe add that to the overall performance we saw Saturday. I also wouldn’t mind tickets to Kelly Clarkson’s Vegas show at Caesar’s as well, but that’s a different story. Until then…