The Vegas Golden Knights have pulled off a dramatic feat. © APA / LEILA DEVLIN

Playoff madness in the last second

The Vegas Golden Knights pulled off a dramatic victory in Game 3 of their NHL playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers. The game-winning goal came one second before the final whistle.

11 May 2025

From: dpa/sn

Reilly Smith proved to be a spoiler for the Oilers at Rogers Place in Edmonton. After Connor McDavid's goal at 3:3, the game looked destined for overtime for a long time, but with the final buzzer sounding, Smith scored the game-winner for Vegas at 56.58:59.59. He had previously sent two Oilers defenders sliding into thin air and also spun around goaltender Stuart Skinner. The Canadians, who won their first two games away in Las Vegas, now have a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series. They need four wins to advance.

Edmonton took a two-goal lead in the first period from Corey Perry, but the Golden Knights then turned the game around with three consecutive goals. With just under three minutes left, Edmonton captain Connor McDavid tied the game. Just as things looked like Game 2 of the series would be heading into another overtime period, Smith scored.

In the second game of the evening, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 4-0. The Hurricanes lead the Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-1.

NHL Playoffs – Round Two, Game Three