The Vegas Golden Knights penalty kill has become the decisive factor in their first-round playoff series against the Utah Mammoth. Brett Howden scored his second shorthanded goal in as many games, this time in double overtime, to give the Knights a 5-4 win in Game 5 and a 3-2 series lead.

Howden’s game-winner came at 5:28 of the second overtime, assisted by Mitch Marner, after the Knights killed a high-sticking penalty on Reilly Smith. The penalty kill went 5-for-5 on the night, improving to 13-of-14 in the series.

“I think on the PK, we did a really good job tonight limiting their chances and pressuring them when we needed to,” Howden said.

The Knights also killed a double minor on Cole Smith early in the third period while protecting a one-goal lead. Coach John Tortorella praised the unit: “It really came up big for us tonight. It’s a skilled team with a very dangerous power play. (The PK has) steadied itself.”

Utah’s power play has been held to just one goal in the series, while the Knights have scored five shorthanded goals. The special teams battle currently favors Vegas 5-1.

Meanwhile, the power play remains a concern. The Knights went 1-for-5 with the man advantage, the lone goal coming from Pavel Dorofeyev. Tortorella acknowledged the struggles, saying “Nope” when asked if he liked what he saw from the power play.

“I think our power play, we’ve obviously got to look at some things,” Howden said.

Game 6 is set for Friday in Salt Lake City, where the Knights can close out the series.