Reilly Smith scored with just 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation on a deflected shot to give the Vegas Golden Knights a dramatic 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series Saturday night.
The last-second goal, which caromed off Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl’s stick and into the net, stunned the crowd and helped Vegas cut Edmonton’s series lead to 2-1, avoiding overtime after Connor McDavid tied the game for Edmonton with 3:02 left in the third.
Smith’s shot appeared to be heading wide before being redirected off Draisaitl’s blade and into the net.
“Sometimes you just put it on the net and hope for the best,” Smith said. “This time, it worked out.”
According to NHL records, since clock decimals were added, it was the third-latest game-winning goal in regulation in playoff history, behind only Nazem Kadri’s goal (0.1 seconds) in 2020 and Jussi Jokinen’s (0.2 seconds) in 2009.
Game Recap Highlights:
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Vegas Comeback: The Golden Knights responded quickly after falling behind 2-0 in the opening period. Nicolas Roy and Reilly Smith scored just 54 seconds apart late in the first to even the score.
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Lead Change: William Karlsson gave Vegas its first lead of the game with 2:55 left in the second period, finishing a slick give-and-go with Noah Hanifin.
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Oilers Push Back: Connor McDavid tied the game with just over three minutes left in regulation when his centering pass deflected off Brayden McNabb’s skate and in.
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Golden Goal: With the game seemingly headed to overtime, Smith’s shot redirected off Draisaitl for the stunning game-winner with 0.4 seconds remaining.
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy praised his team’s resilience:
“We put ourselves in a hole early, but there’s no panic in that locker room. We know we can score and come back.”
Adin Hill stopped 17 shots for the Golden Knights, while Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner made 20 saves to relieve the injured Calvin Pickard, who was hurt in Game 2 when Tomas Hertl fell on his leg.
Golden Knights captain Mark Stone exited in the first period with an upper-body injury and did not return.
Roy, playing just a day after being fined for a cross-check in Game 2, got Vegas on the board off a rebound. Smith followed moments later with a backhand goal snapping through Skinner’s legs.
Key Stat:
This was the second time in these playoffs the Oilers have lost a game in the final seconds, something veteran forward Corey Perry called “gutting.”
Up Next:
Game 4 is Monday night in Edmonton, with the Oilers looking to regain momentum and the Golden Knights aiming to even the series.
