Golden Knights fall to Minnesota for fifth loss in six games

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) shoots during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild at T-Mobile Arena, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. Photo by: Wade Vandervort

The Vegas Golden Knights lost their fifth game in six tries, falling 5-2 to the surging Minnesota Wild on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The Knights have lost two of three during their four-game homestand and have been outscored 25-21 during their 1-3-2 slide.

Vegas goalie Carter Hart allowed five goals on 12 shots before he was pulled as Minnesota opened a 5-0 lead by the 6:56 mark of the second period. Akira Schmid came in for Hart and stopped all 15 shots he faced.

Brayden McNabb and Mark Stone scored for Vegas.

Vegas lost center Tomas Hertl just 2:13 into the game when he was ejected for a game misconduct after being called for a major boarding penalty.

Minnesota outshot Vegas, 27-16.

Both teams were 0 for 2 on the power play.

Marcus Johansson had a goal and three assists for the Wild, who are 9-1-1 since Dec. 8. They are third in the Central Division with 54 points.

Matt Boldy, Jared Spurgeon, Brock Faber and Joel Eriksson Ek also scored for Minnesota. They have scored first in 25 games this season.

Boldy has 18 points (10 goals, 8 assists) in his last 12 games, while Eriksson Ek has 13 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in his last 11.

Filip Gustavsson improved to 6-0-1 in his last seven starts, stopping 14 shots.