The Edmonton Oilers were unable to capitalize on the momentum of their quick two goals to start Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Final against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
Connor McDavid knotted the score late in regulation at 3-3, and it appeared as though both teams were heading to overtime. But with almost zero time left on the clock, Vegas forward Reilly Smith shocked the sellout crowd at Rogers Place when his attempt at the net was accidentally deflected over the goal line by Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl.
Video replays confirm the puck entered the net with 0.4 left on the clock, giving Vegas a shocking victory and their first of the series, halving Edmonton’s lead to 2-1.
Oilers Fans Completely Stunned After Game 3 Loss to Golden Knights
Fans on social media were just as stunned as the over 18,000 who packed Rogers Place and the thousands who gathered outside the venue at the outdoor watch party – and many of them directed their wrath at goaltender Stuart Skinner.
One fan said, “If Skinner sees a net from now until next season, everyone needs to be fired.”
Another fan declared, “Called it the moment they announced Skinner as starter… doomed from the start.”
Called it the moment they announced Skinner as starter… doomed from the start.
— Western Dominion (@WesternDominion)
This fan said Skinner should never see the ice again, stating, “Skinner should never wear an Oilers jersey again unless he’s in the stands.”
Keeping with the theme of blasting Skinner, this fan remarked, “What a stupid choice by Skinner to push that far out of the net with seconds left.”
And finally, this fan was just as frustrated, saying, “Thanks to Stuart Skinner being 10 feet outside of the net in the last seconds of the game forcing Leon to play goalie. Bring back Pickard asap.”
Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl Reacts to ‘Bad Bounce’
It was Draisaitl who accidentally deflected Smith’s pass attempt past the goal line with just 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation, giving the Golden Knights a shocking victory in literally the last second of the game.
“We didn’t sort it out very well to let the puck get into the slot, but after that, it’s just unlucky. It’s unfortunate,” Draisaitl said. “Obviously, it goes off my stick. I’m just trying to keep it out of the net, and it’s just a bad bounce.”
The Oilers will attempt to regain their two-game lead in the series when both teams reconvene for Game 4 on Monday night.
Right now, it remains to be seen whether Vegas team captain Mark Stone, who departed with an injury and didn’t return, will be able to play.
