The Utah Mammoth were just 52 seconds away from grabbing a pivotal Game 5 victory on the road. But in the blink of an eye, their playoff hopes took a devastating turn.

Now, the Mammoth return to Salt Lake City facing elimination after a heartbreaking 5-4 double-overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night. What looked like a signature road win slipped through their fingers late, leaving Utah trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series with no room for error.

The hero of the night for Vegas was Pavel Dorofeyev, who delivered a hat trick and buried the game-tying goal with just 52 seconds left in regulation. Then, in the second overtime, Brett Howden struck on a short-handed breakaway to complete the stunning comeback and swing the series back in the Golden Knights' favor.

From the opening puck drop, this was a wild, emotional tug-of-war. Utah grabbed the lead twice in the first two periods on goals from John Marino and Lawson Crouse, but each time Vegas answered quickly, refusing to let the Mammoth build any breathing room.

After Shea Theodore gave the Golden Knights a 3-2 advantage heading into the third period, Utah responded with a surge that seemed destined to change the night. Dylan Guenther buried the equalizer, and then Michael Carcone scored his second goal of the series to put the Mammoth ahead 4-3 late in regulation.

With the clock winding down and a massive road win within reach, Dorofeyev ripped home his third goal of the night, silencing the celebration and forcing overtime. Neither team could end it in the first extra frame, but in the second overtime, Howden capitalized on a short-handed chance to complete Vegas' stunning escape.

The path is now simple for Utah: win Friday night at the Delta Center or the season is over. A victory would force a winner-take-all Game 7 back in Las Vegas.

Puck drop for Game 6 is set for 8 p.m. Friday in Salt Lake City. Gear up in Mammoth colors and get ready for a night that could define a franchise.