EDMONTON, Alberta — The Golden Knights staged a dramatic comeback against the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night, rallying from a two-goal deficit to secure a 4-3 victory at Rogers Place. Reilly Smith delivered a spectacular buzzer-beater with just 0.4 seconds left to clinch the game for Vegas, cutting Edmonton’s series lead to 2-1.
The night began with a strong showing from the Oilers, as Corey Perry struck twice within the first nine minutes. His first goal came after a well-timed wrist shot in transition, courtesy of Connor McDavid’s setup. Moments later, Perry capitalized on a power play when he redirected a shot from Evan Bouchard, putting Edmonton up 2-0 early in the contest.
However, the Golden Knights answered swiftly, knotting the game at 2-2 by the end of the first period. Nicolas Roy capitalized on a misplayed rebound, scoring after Stuart Skinner struggled to secure a shot from Nicolas Hague. Less than a minute later, Smith weaved through the Oilers’ defense to score, shifting the momentum dramatically.
William Karlsson put Vegas ahead late in the second period, showcasing a strong performance throughout the night. The Golden Knights executed a disciplined defensive strategy in the final frame, limiting Edmonton to just 20 shots on goal. Goaltender Adin Hill, who initially struggled after conceding two goals on the first four shots, regained form, allowing his team to focus on tightening their defense.
Skinner faced a difficult task in his first start after a seven-game absence, stepping in for injured goaltender Calvin Pickard. He allowed four goals on 24 shots, failing to replicate the form that had previously guided the Oilers to multiple victories. Skinner’s attempts to recover from earlier playoff struggles fell short, as he recalled painful memories from a prior series against the Golden Knights.
With just over three minutes remaining, McDavid pulled Edmonton level, firing a shot that banked off Brayden McNabb’s stick and into the net. Despite some offensive adjustments, including the reconfiguring of line alignments, the Oilers failed to capitalize consistently, particularly after their strong start.
Perry’s early performance served as a reminder of his scoring prowess, as he notched his fifth goal of the playoffs and demonstrated effective synergy with McDavid. However, the Oilers struggled to maintain the momentum following the initial burst of energy. Leon Draisaitl encountered challenges, including a missed opportunity that struck the crossbar. He ultimately recorded two assists but failed to make a decisive impact.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights faced adversity when captain Mark Stone left the game due to an upper-body injury after only six shifts. His absence forced Vegas to adjust, but they found a way to persevere, leaning heavily on the contributions of Karlsson and the rest of the team.
Looking ahead, the Golden Knights will need to bolster their lineup as they navigate the remainder of this series without Stone. As both teams prepare for Game 4, the intensity is sure to rise, igniting the already fierce rivalry on the ice. With each squad searching for answers and adjustments, the series promises to deliver more thrilling moments in the coming games.