Miracle in Vegas: Reilly Smith’s Buzzer-Beater Revives Golden Knights in Game 3 Thriller

At first, it looked like another heartbreaking night for the Vegas Golden Knights. Another game slipping away, another step closer to playoff elimination. But then, with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock and the scoreboard tied, a hockey miracle unfolded on the T-Mobile Arena ice. Reilly Smith, veteran winger and original “Misfit,” became the unexpected hero, wristing a shot through traffic that nicked Leon Draisaitl’s stick and fluttered past goaltender Stuart Skinner. The red light flashed, the horn blasted, and 18,000 fans erupted in euphoric disbelief.

Vegas had won. They weren’t done yet.

The 4–3 victory didn’t just save the Golden Knights from a disastrous 3–0 series deficit to the Edmonton Oilers—it reignited a franchise, jolted the series to life, and gave Smith his place among the most clutch moments in Stanley Cup Playoff history.

There are buzzer-beaters, and then there’s what Smith did.

After a frantic final minute of pressure in the Oilers’ zone, the puck found its way to Jack Eichel behind the net. With barely five seconds on the clock, Eichel wheeled a backhand pass up the left side to Smith. There wasn’t time to think—just react.

“I knew the clock was ticking down,” Smith said after the game, still catching his breath and processing the surreal finish. “I didn’t know how much time was left, but I figured it was now or never.”

His quick shot sliced through a screen, caught the blade of Draisaitl’s stick, and redirected past Skinner before the clock ticked to zeros. Official review confirmed it: 0.4 seconds remained when the puck crossed the line.

The building nearly lost its roof. Smith, normally reserved, let out a rare celebration, throwing his arms in the air and leaping into the boards as teammates mobbed him. Vegas wasn’t dead—they were very much alive.

The drama of the final second overshadowed what had already been a wild 59 minutes.

Edmonton came out flying, with Corey Perry—yes, the 39-year-old playoff warrior—opening the scoring midway through the first period. He struck again in the second with a tip-in that gave the Oilers a 2–0 lead. It looked like the Pacific Division champs were in real trouble.

But Vegas clawed back, as they’ve done so many times before. Nicolas Roy got the Knights on the board late in the second, and William Karlsson tied it with a snipe from the slot early in the third. For the fifth time this postseason, Karlsson found the back of the net, continuing a resurgent playoff run that’s mirrored his career-long clutch reputation.

Still, Edmonton wasn’t done. Connor McDavid, who had been relatively quiet in Game 2, flashed his brilliance with a go-ahead goal just three minutes later. His acceleration created separation from Shea Theodore, and a quick backhand-forehand move beat Adin Hill top shelf.

3–2, Oilers. Vegas was reeling.

Momentum was swinging like a pendulum, and the Knights weren’t about to let this one slip. Jack Eichel, the engine of Vegas’ offense all night, orchestrated the tying goal with just over five minutes left. Eichel collected a pass in transition and slid a no-look dish to Jonathan Marchessault, who returned the favor seconds later with a perfect cross-ice feed. Eichel buried the shot glove-side.

Tie game, 3–3.

Marchessault, with three assists on the night, tied a Golden Knights playoff record. Eichel finished with three points and a plus-2 rating. But their greatest contribution might have been creating the chaos that allowed Smith the opportunity to play hero.

When the puck hit the net at 0.4 seconds, it became the third-latest game-winning goal in NHL playoff history. More than a statistical anomaly, it was a psychological dagger. The Oilers, who were 0.4 seconds away from a stranglehold 3–0 series lead, suddenly found themselves in a fight.

“It stings,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “We played a good game, but you can’t let it get to that point. We gave them too much space in the last 10 seconds. That’s on us.”

Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy called it “one of the gutsiest wins” he’s ever been part of.

“We lost our captain [Mark Stone] early in the first. Guys were adjusting mid-shift. The bench was scrambling. But they kept pushing,” Cassidy said. “That last play? That was years of chemistry and guts all coming together in a moment.”

Not all was celebratory for Vegas. Mark Stone left the game late in the first period with what the team is calling an upper-body injury. He did not return and is listed as day-to-day. Stone, often the emotional heartbeat of the team, had been effective in the first two games and was skating on the top line with Eichel and Smith.

“We’re hoping it’s not serious,” Cassidy said postgame. “We’ll evaluate and see what we’re dealing with.”

If Stone can’t go for Game 4, it could be a major blow—but one that Vegas seems mentally prepared for.

“This team’s been through injuries all season,” Eichel said. “Guys step up. It’s what we do.”

Another storyline was Edmonton’s goaltending dilemma. Calvin Pickard, who had won the starter’s job after Skinner’s early-round struggles, left the game midway through the second after a collision in the crease. Skinner came in cold and allowed two goals on 13 shots—including the game-winner.

It’s unclear whether Pickard will return for Game 4, but head coach Kris Knoblauch was noncommittal.

“We’ll assess Calvin tomorrow,” he said. “Stuart’s been a pro all season. We trust him. But tonight was tough for everyone.”

Playoff hockey in Vegas is unlike anything else in the NHL. The fortress was deafening during pregame, but the roof truly blew off in the final second.

Fans tossed hats, waved flags, and sang along as “Viva Las Vegas” blared from the speakers. It felt like 2018 again—when Smith and the other original “Misfits” led the inaugural Knights to the Stanley Cup Final.

“That’s why I came back,” Smith said of the atmosphere. “This city is magic in the playoffs.”

What once looked like a pending sweep now feels like a series destined for seven games.

Game 4 looms as a critical test for both teams. Will Vegas carry the momentum and even the series? Will Edmonton bounce back with vengeance? The pressure now swings onto the Oilers’ shoulders, as Vegas will enter Thursday’s Game 4 at home with renewed swagger.

“It’s one game,” Cassidy cautioned. “We haven’t won anything yet. But we gave ourselves a chance. And that’s all we needed tonight.”

If the Golden Knights go on to win the series—or more—this game, this goal, will become a permanent part of franchise lore. Reilly Smith has had bigger statistical games. He’s scored in Stanley Cup Finals. But nothing quite like this.

“Not sure it’s sunk in yet,” he admitted in the locker room, surrounded by a sea of reporters. “Ask me in a week.”

But it didn’t take a week for the fans to decide. Outside the arena, a fan held up a sign that read: “0.4 = Forever.”

It just might be.