May 10, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) battles for the puck with Vegas Golden Knights right winger Reilly Smith (19) during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

Golden Knights Steal Win With Buzzer Beater

Originally posted on Breakaway on SI | By Nick Horwat | Last updated May 11, 2025 12:08 AM ET

The Vegas Golden Knights entered Game 3 of their second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers down 2-0, needing a win to not let the series slip almost completely out of their grasp. Game 3 between the Golden Knights and Oilers ended up being a highly entertaining back-and-forth affair that ended with an unthinkable buzzer-beater.

The Oilers opened the scoring with a pair of goals, but the Golden Knights picked up three unanswered tallies to take the lead. Superstar forward Connor McDavid scored with about three minutes remaining to tie the game at three, and overtime seemed immanent as the seconds ticked off the clock.

Reilly Smith picked up a pass from behind the net with less than two seconds remaining and made the most of his time. Smith avoided an Oilers defender, then beat Stuart Skinner before pushing the puck towards an opening.

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

The puck deflected off of Leon Draisaitl’s net into the yawning cage as the clock struck zero. A review determined that Smith’s shot beat the buzzer by 0.4 seconds, giving the Golden Knights their first win of the series.

A stunned corwd in Edmonton couldn’t believe what they just saw as Smith and his Golden Knights teammates celebrated the timely goal.

The Golden Knights showed life in Game 3, coming back from multiple goals down then making sure to not take their foot off the gas in the dying seconds.

Smith was one of the original members of the Golden Knights from their expansion draft in 2017, but spent the 2023-24 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the start of the 2024-25 season with the New York Rangers.

The Golden Knights re-acquired Smith at the trade deadline and things are already working out for Vegas as his first game-winning goal of this playoffs comes at a crucial time.

This article first appeared on Breakaway on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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