EDMONTON – They couldn't find a way.
The Edmonton Oilers were no match for the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night. They went up early off a pair of goals from the ageless wonder, Corey Perry.
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But the Golden Knights had other plans.
Everyone on (and off) the ice thought this game would be headed to overtime. Then, Reilly Smith played the hero for the Golden Knights, ensuring that his team didn't get swept in the second round of the playoffs.
Connor McDavid, Stuart Skinner, and Perry did what they could to help the team win the game. But a breakdown during the Golden Knights' last goal (and Leon Draisaitl's huge stick) cost the Oilers another chance at coming up with the win.
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Oilers Game 3 Recap
The Oilers fought back from a 3-2 deficit to tie the game late. Connor McDavid scored a great goal to tie the game, but ultimately, it was not enough.
Too many mistakes, too many breakdowns to withstand the Golden Knights.
First Period
The crowd is very lively at Rogers Place in the opening minutes of the game.
18:12 - Stuart Skinner stops his first shot of the game and the crowd cheers for him.
16:14 - Draisaitl just turned over the puck in the Golden Knights end with an intercepted pass.
13:36 -Skinner with a quick flurry of saves.
GOAL (12:41) - Corey Perry scores the game's first goal against the Golden Knights. John Klingberg with the breakout pass before the two-on-one rush. 1-0 Oilers.
12:16 - Kane goes off for an "illegal check to the head."
10:57 - Skinner makes an incredible pad save on the penalty kill.
9:38 -Whitecloud goes off for interference. The Oilers will go on the power play.
Oilers successfully kill off the first penalty of the game. Moments later, Draisaitl rings the puck off the Golden Knights' crossbar.
GOAL (8:48) - Scorey Perry gets another one, this time on the powerplay. He tips a Bouchard shot from the point. 2-0 Oilers.
5:02 - Some pushing and shoving after an offside call. Kane is in the mix for the Oilers.
GOAL (4:43) - Roy scores for the Golden Knights. Roy banged a rebound past Skinner.
GOAL (3:49) - Smith gets a goal past Skinner, and it's a 2-2 game now.
Oilers get a great chance from their second line.
0 - Some pushing and shoving at the final buzzer for the first period.
Second Period
Back and forth action so far to kick off the first five minutes of the middle period.
12:15 - Golden Knights are getting some zone time and quality chances. Nothing materializes.
11:49 - Oiler had a great rush chance between Arvidsson and Janmark.
11:04 - Vegas gets a few good looks, then the Oilers get called offside.
10:09 - Skinner comes up with a huge save on Hertl.
8:51 - Slashing penalty against the Golden Knights. Barbashev goes to the penalty box.
6:50 - Bouchard knocks down the puck to get another scoring opportunity. A few shots get on net but it's still 2-2.
5:10 - Diving save by Skinner on a Hertl wraparound.
GOAL (2:55) - Karlsson puts the puck past Skinner on an ill-timed line change. 3-2 Golden Knights.
1:54 - Hyman called for goalie interference. Golden Knights go on the powerplay.
McDavid gets a few shifts on the penalty kill and creates some chances. Golden Knights finish the period with a 3-2 lead.
Third Period
McDavid, Hyman, and Nugent-Hopkins reunited to start the third period.
17:10 - Bouchard gets a shot on net from the slot.
16:16 - McDavid was convinced that he beat Pietrangelo to the puck to negate the icing call.
14:30: Golden Knights spending some time in the Oilers end. Draisaitl, Kane, and Perry on the ice as a line.
10:37 - Podkolzin gets his stick on that shot, which deflects out of play.
8:12 - Skinner flashes the leather. Probably the most important save of Skinner's night.
8:00 - Turnover leads to a quick shot by the Golden Knights.
6:55 - Golden opportunity for Draisaitl, who hits the net.
3:18 - Icing on Golden Knights after several glorious opportunities for the Oilers.
GOAL (3:02) - McDavid scores on a ridiculous angle, it deflects off of McNabb's skate and in. 3-3 score.
GOAL (0.4 Seconds) - Puck goes off Draisaitl's stick to get a goal and win 4-3.