We’ve got a series! The Oilers vs Golden Knights series has taken a dramatic turn. After a thrilling Game 3, where Reilly Smith scored with just 0.4 seconds remaining to give Vegas a 4–3 victory, the series now stands at 2–1 in favour of Edmonton. This pivotal goal not only prevented the Edmonton Oilers from taking a commanding 3–0 lead but also reignited the Vegas Golden Knights’ hopes in this tightly contested playoff battle.
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
Oilers vs Golden Knights: Depth, Star Power, and Goaltending
The Oilers vs Golden Knights series has been a showcase of resilience and high-stakes drama. Edmonton’s depth scoring and the marquee matchup between Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel have been central themes, while goaltending performances have significantly influenced the outcomes.
Edmonton’s Depth Making the Difference
In the first two games, the Oilers’ depth players stepped up remarkably. Connor Brown, who had a challenging regular season, scored a crucial empty-net goal in Game 1. Vasily Podkolzin netted his first career playoff goal in Game 2, while Viktor Arvidsson contributed two assists. Defenceman Darnell Nurse and forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also made significant contributions, highlighting the team’s balanced attack.
However, Game 3 saw a shift. Despite Corey Perry‘s two goals and McDavid’s late equalizer, the Oilers’ depth wasn’t able to make the difference, underscoring the importance of consistent contributions from the entire lineup.
A Battle of Top Draft Picks
The much-anticipated duel between 2015’s top two draft picks, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, has been a focal point. McDavid has been instrumental, tallying multiple assists and a crucial goal in Game 3. Eichel, while contributing assists, has yet to dominate, and the Golden Knights will look to him to elevate his play as the series progresses. Even though McDavid posterized Eichel on the Game 2 winning goal, the matchup has been much more even. In fact, it has slightly favored Eichel at 5 on 5, with Eichel holding 80% of the expected goals according to Sportsnet’s Dmitri Filipovic.
The Goaltending Factor
Goaltending has been a decisive factor in the series. Calvin Pickard, stepping in for the Oilers, has been commendable, maintaining an undefeated record in six straight games in the playoffs. His performance has provided stability in the net for Edmonton. After game 3, the Oilers will probably be hoping he gets back to full health as soon as possible.
Conversely, Vegas’s Adin Hill has faced challenges. Despite a strong regular season, his playoff performance has been inconsistent, with a save percentage of .857 over the first two games. Hill’s ability to rebound will be critical for the Golden Knights moving forward. Filipovi also pointed out that his goals saved above expected, according to SportLogiq, is -9. That is simply not good enough in the playoffs.
The Impact of Smith’s Last-Second Goal
Reilly Smith’s goal with just 0.4 seconds left in Game 3 was a game-changer. The dramatic finish not only secured a win for Vegas but also shifted the momentum of the series. Such moments can have lasting psychological effects, and the Oilers will need to regroup quickly to maintain their series lead. The difference between a 3-0 series and a 2-1 series is absolutely massive and Vegas will have a renewed sense of confidence going into game 4, looking to steal back home-ice advantage.
Looking Ahead
As the series progresses, the Oilers will aim to leverage their depth and star power to regain control, while the Golden Knights will look to build on their Game 3 victory and address some goaltending concerns. The next games promise to be intense, razor-thin margins in this closely matched series.
Main photo by: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
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