Shea Theodore’s overtime goal lifts Golden Knights to 5-4 win over Mammoth; series tied 2-2
Apr 27, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Utah Mammoth during overtime in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images SALT LAKE CITY — Shea Theodore scored on a snap shot from the high slot with 51. 5 seconds left in overtime and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Utah Mammoth 5-4 after squandering a three-goal lead, tying their first-round playoff series at two games apiece.
“We just didn’t quit,” Theodore said. Game 5 in the best-of-seven series is in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights appeared to have won the game earlier in OT when Pavel Dorofeyev tapped in a loose puck with 9:41 left, but the apparent score was waved off when it was determined Vegas was offside.
“It was good we never stopped,” Theodore said. “It sucks that one got called back, but it was good to get it done. ” Vegas’ Brett Howden scored his second goal of the game on a tip-in with 9:35 remaining in the third period, and that forced overtime after Utah had stormed back with four straight goals.
“I liked the way we responded in the third after they scored,” Howden said. “We stuck with it. ” The Golden Knights raced out to a 3-0 lead with two goals in the first and one early in the second by Dorofeyev, Howden and Cole Smith.
Utah countered with four straight scores, capped by Clayton Keller’s wrist shot off a deflection for a 4-3 lead at the 5:10 mark of the third period. “I’m proud of the way our guys responded to adversity,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “It was a hard-fought game.