Golden Knights in awe of Smith's winner: 'One of the craziest things I've ever seen'

The Vegas Golden Knights still can't quite comprehend the stunning finish to Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.

Just when everyone was likely preparing for overtime, Reilly Smith had other ideas, scoring the game-winner with 0.4 seconds left in regulation.

The veteran winger swung the puck off Leon Draisaitl's stick and in. The puck went in and out so fast it appeared at first glance that Smith hit the crossbar. But after a quick review, it was a deemed a goal.

A BUZZER BEATER OF ALL BUZZER BEATERS 🤯

REILLY SMITH WINS IT FOR VEGAS WITH 0.4 SECONDS LEFT IN REGULATION!!! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/PZIGMQE1Ba

— NHL (@NHL) May 11, 2025

"That was one of the craziest things I've ever seen in a hockey game," Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague said postgame, according to The Athletic's Jesse Granger.

It's the third-latest regulation game-winner in Stanley Cup Playoff history, following Jussi Jokinen in 2009 (0.2 seconds) and Nazem Kadri in 2020 (0.1 seconds), per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

"It was unbelievable," Vegas forward Nic Roy said. "It looks like Reilly knew it, but nobody else on the ice knew it. ... What a play by him, and, obviously, it's a huge goal."

The goal could prove to save Vegas' season. Edmonton was set to enter overtime with momentum on its side after Connor McDavid tied the game with 3:02 remaining. A win would've given the Oilers a commanding 3-0 series lead, but instead, the Golden Knights are right back in it.

"We never think we're down and out," Smith said postgame. "There's always a lot of fight in this group."

Copyright © 2025 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.