With just
0.4 seconds left on the clock, Reilly Smith scored a dramatic, last-second goal to give the Vegas Golden Knights a stunning 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Saturday night.
Smith’s game-winner deflected off Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl’s stick, redirecting into the net just before the buzzer. The clutch goal prevented overtime and cut Edmonton’s series lead to 2-1, setting up a crucial Game 4 in Edmonton on Monday night.
A Wild Finish in Edmonton
Oilers captain Connor McDavid had tied the game at 3-3 with just over three minutes left in regulation, when his centering pass deflected off Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb’s skate and into the net. But the Oilers were stunned when Smith’s shot, which initially appeared to be going wide, clipped Draisaitl’s stick and slid past goaltender Stuart Skinner with less than a second remaining.
“Sometimes you just hope for the best and that one seemed to work out,” said Smith.
“That was one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen in a hockey game,” added Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague.
Smith’s goal was officially the third-latest game-winning goal in NHL playoff history since timing to tenths of a second began. Only Nazem Kadri (0.1 seconds, 2020) and Jussi Jokinen (0.2 seconds, 2009) had scored winners later in regulation.
Vegas Rallies After Early Deficit
Edmonton came out strong in the first period, taking a
2-0 lead on a pair of goals by Corey Perry. However, the Golden Knights responded swiftly:
- Nicolas Roy scored off a rebound with 4:43 left in the first period to make it 2-1.
- Just 54 seconds later, Reilly Smith slipped a backhander through Skinner’s legs to tie the game 2-2.
In the second period, William Karlsson gave Vegas its first lead of the night, finishing a give-and-go play with Noah Hanifin to make it 3-2 with 2:55 left in the frame.
Injuries and Goaltending Notes
Vegas overcame adversity early when captain Mark Stone exited the game with an upper-body injury. Despite the loss of their leader, the Golden Knights showed poise and resilience.
Goaltender Adin Hill made 17 saves for Vegas, while Skinner stopped 20 shots in relief of the injured Calvin Pickard, who is sidelined after suffering a lower-body injury in Game 2.
“We know we’ve got good character in the room,” said Golden Knights head coach
Bruce Cassidy.
“We have to correct how we start games, but we believe in our ability to come back and score.”
Looking Ahead: Game 4
With the
Oilers now leading the series 2-1, both teams will return to the ice for Game 4 on Monday night in Edmonton. Vegas aims to even the series, while Edmonton will try to take a commanding 3-1 lead.
“It’s probably more deflating losing the way we did, not getting to overtime,” said Perry. “It’s happened twice to us in these playoffs. You use it as motivation.”
