Vegas Golden Knights' Reilly Smith skates between Edmonton Oilers Viktor Arvidsson, left, and Vasily Podkolzin during first period NHL playoff action in Edmonton on Saturday. (The Canadian Press)
The Vegas Golden Knights are back in the fight. After a dramatic last-second win in Game 3, they’re hoping to level the score against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series.
Though Edmonton still holds a 2-1 series lead, Vegas now has a golden opportunity to reclaim home-ice advantage with a win on Monday.
Game 3 Ends with a Shocker
Saturday night delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the Stanley Cup playoffs so far. Reilly Smith's sharp-angle shot bounced off Oilers star Leon Draisaitl and slid into the open net with just 0.4 seconds remaining.
The goal lifted the Golden Knights to a thrilling 4-3 victory and breathed life back into their series hopes.
Vegas Gains Confidence and Focus
Despite the lucky bounce, Vegas believes their improved gameplay is the real story. Head coach Bruce Cassidy said the team has made steady progress since Game 1.
“We’re doing a lot of things better now,” Cassidy noted after Sunday’s optional skate. “We’re getting into our rhythm and improving each game.”
The Golden Knights have also benefited from an odd pattern — the road team has won every game in the series so far. Vegas will be hoping that trend continues in Edmonton.
Captain Stone’s Status Still Uncertain
Vegas may need to battle without captain Mark Stone, who left Game 3 early with an upper-body injury. Cassidy described him as “day-to-day” and remained hopeful for a Monday return.
Forward Brandon Saad, who missed Game 3 due to a lower-body issue, is also listed day-to-day.
Still, the team remains focused. “We grabbed a win, now we need another to tie the series,” said veteran defenseman Brayden McNabb.
Oilers Look to Bounce Back
The Oilers were moments away from forcing overtime before Smith’s buzzer-beater snatched Game 3 away. Despite the disappointment, Edmonton is still in the driver’s seat with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“We’re up 2-1 and maybe we shouldn’t be,” admitted forward Zach Hyman. “But we’re still in a good position.”
A Reality Check for Edmonton
The Oilers know they’ve been outplayed at times — especially in Games 2 and 3 — despite splitting those contests.
“That’s playoff hockey,” said defenseman Darnell Nurse. “Every game is its own challenge. We’ve got to be sharper.”
Edmonton will look to recapture its earlier momentum, which had carried them to a six-game winning streak before the Game 3 loss.
Short Memory Is the Key
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch emphasized the importance of mental resilience in the postseason.
“In the playoffs, you need a short-term memory,” he said. “What happened last night doesn’t matter. We move forward.”
Goaltender Stuart Skinner is expected to start again, as Calvin Pickard remains sidelined with a lower-body injury from Game 2.
High Stakes in Game 4
Monday’s Game 4 is shaping up to be a turning point. A win for the Oilers gives them a commanding 3-1 lead. A victory for the Golden Knights evens the series and shifts momentum squarely in their favor.
As both teams prepare for a crucial battle, fans can expect intensity, grit, and no shortage of drama in Edmonton.
