Golden Knights Stun Oilers with Buzzer-Beater in Game 3

Edmonton, Alberta — In a dramatic finish, Reilly Smith scored the game-winning goal with just 0.4 seconds remaining in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a stunning 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.

The game took place at Rogers Place, where the Oilers had initially taken a 2-0 lead. Corey Perry scored two early goals for Edmonton, but the Golden Knights mounted a comeback, with Smith and Nicolas Roy each scoring to tie the game at 2-2 by the end of the first period.

“Big win for our team,” Smith said after the match. “We need to use the momentum in front of us to push forward but focus one game at a time. That’s kind of always been the mindset for this group.”

Kevin Karlsson put Vegas ahead with 2:55 left in the second period, but Oilers captain Connor McDavid tied the score once more, shooting into the net off a deflected pass with 3:02 remaining in the third period.

Just as it seemed the game would head into overtime, Karlsson skated the puck down the ice and set up Smith for the decisive shot. The puck deflected off the stick of Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and slipped into the net just before time expired.

“It goes off my stick, and I’m just trying to keep it out of the net. It’s just a bad bounce,” Draisaitl said of the unfortunate ending.

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch noted the significance of the game, saying, “Before the series starts, if you were to tell us that we were going to be up 2-1 after three, we’d be happy.”

The loss dropped Edmonton’s series lead to 2-1, as they aim to bounce back in Game 4, which will be held on Monday night.

Despite the heartbreak of the last-second loss, Perry reflected on the bright side, adding, “We’re still up 2-1.”