The Vegas Golden Knights pulled off an absolute stunner in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinal series against the Edmonton Oilers, securing a 4-3 victory with a miraculous goal scored by Reilly Smith with a mere 0.4 seconds remaining on the clock. This incredible feat ties the record for the latest regulation game-winning goal in Stanley Cup playoff history.
The game was a back-and-forth affair. Edmonton jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to a goal by Corey Perry. However, Vegas responded with a flurry of their own, tying the game late in the first period with goals from Nicolas Roy and Smith himself—the latter scoring just 54 seconds after Roy’s tally. William Karlsson then gave the Golden Knights the lead in the second period with a beautiful give-and-go play.
But the Oilers weren’t done. Connor McDavid tied the game with just over three minutes left in regulation, his centering pass deflecting off Brayden McNabb’s skate and into the net. It looked like the game was headed to overtime, but Smith had other plans.
With only 0.4 seconds left on the clock, Smith unleashed a shot that deflected off Leon Draisaitl’s stick and found the back of the net, sending the Golden Knights bench into a frenzy and silencing the Edmonton crowd. Smith described his game-winning play, noting that he saw an opportunity after a teammate’s forecheck and capitalized on the chaos in front of the net.
Draisaitl, reflecting on the play, acknowledged the bad bounce that led to the game-winning goal. Despite the Oilers’ late comeback and their 2-1 series lead before the game, the Golden Knights’ victory significantly shifted the momentum of the series. Vegas goaltender Adin Hill made 17 saves to support his team’s offensive efforts, while Stuart Skinner, who replaced the injured Calvin Pickard in net for Edmonton, stopped 20 shots.
The Golden Knights’ win cuts the Oilers’ series lead to 2-1, setting the stage for a crucial Game 4 in Edmonton. The series continues Monday night, with both teams now knowing anything is possible in this thrilling playoff matchup. Mark Stone’s absence due to an upper-body injury also adds another layer of uncertainty to the series, highlighting the resilience of the Vegas Golden Knights in the face of adversity.
The incredible finish to Game 3 will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most dramatic moments of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The series is far from over, and fans can expect more high-octane hockey in the games to come.
