Who would have guessed before this season that Reilly Smith would score the most memorable goal for the 2024-25 Golden Knights? His goal with 0.4 seconds left stunned the crowd at Rogers Place in Edmonton, it sparked a feud between sports bars, and it restored life (albeit momentarily) to the Vegas season.
It’s one of the more unique game-winning goals not only in VGK history, but NHL history as it was one of just two scored in the final second of regulation of a true playoff game. Amazingly, it may not even be Reilly Smith’s most memorable goal as a Golden Knight, though.
I’m very grateful that I’ve had numerous times in my career where there have been moments that I probably won’t be able to really grasp the the full weight of it until maybe after I’m done playing and hopefully I can look around and sit back and say, you know, I’m really proud of these things. -Reilly Smith
5) Game-winner vs WPG
May 18th, 2018
VGK dropped Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, and many believed the magical expansion team run was coming to an end. They went on to win the next two and were presented with a massive opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead at home against the mighty Jets.
With the game tied 2-2 with less than 8 minutes in regulation, Dustin Byfuglien fanned on a shot from the point, giving Smith a breakaway look off the left wing. He wired the shot short-side bar-down, stunning Connor Hellebuyck and sending T-Mobile Arena into a state of pandemonium.
4) Overtime goal vs CHI
August 13th, 2020
In Game 2 of the odd “bubble” postseason, the Golden Knights gave up a late goal with just 14 seconds left, forcing overtime. Having already scored twice in Game 1, Smith was a man on a mission, helping VGK avoid giving Chicago the chance to even the series at one game apiece.
After a near game-winner from Brayden McNabb moments earlier, Smith went directly to the front of the goal and received a pass from Paul Stastny. Smith first-timed it towards the goal and beat Corey Crawford to give the Golden Knights the 2-0 series lead.
3) Between the legs goal vs FLA
February 28th, 2019
In the annals of Golden Knights history, when the phrase “between the legs goal” is brought up, the mind will always go to William Karlsson’s beauty against the San Jose Sharks. But, Smith had a pretty incredible one himself against a legendary goaltender, Roberto Luongo.
Smith received the puck to the right of the goal with his back facing the net. He quickly moved the puck between his legs and pulled off a magical shot while being checked in the back. Luongo didn’t pick up the shot, and it slipped through the five-hole, just inches across the goal line.
2) 0.4 seconds left game-winner vs EDM
May 10th, 2025
Edmonton had just tied the game and were pressing for the go-ahead goal as the clock was winding down in Game 3. A brilliant play by William Karlsson to skate the puck out of the zone, gain the red line, and get it in deep secured overtime for VGK, but they wanted more.
Karlsson chased the puck down surrounded by four Oilers. He took a peek over his shoulder to see if he had support, and he did in the form of Smith. A quick backhanded pass hit Smith directly in front of the goal. Multiple Oilers sold out to block a quick shot, but Smith held onto it, attempting to wait them out. He found himself one-on-one with the goalie, who dove at him as if he were trying to tackle a ball carrier in football. Smith moved to the side and fired a puck along the ice towards the open cage. Leon Draisaitl tried to knock it away but instead deflected it perfectly into the goal, giving the Golden Knights the improbable win.
1) Stanley Cup Final Goal vs. FLA
June 13th, 2023
The end of the infamous “Rat Trap” shift, William Karlsson fed a no-look between the legs pass to Smith who was arriving on the backdoor. Smith smashed the puck home and then celebrated emphatically.
The goal gave the Golden Knights a 4-1 lead midway through Game 5 and it was in that moment it became clear they were about to go on to win the Stanley Cup. Officially, the goal went down as the game-winning goal to clinch the first championship in VGK history.
*On June 13th this year we’re going to release a video breakdown of the Rat Trap shift to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the best offensive shift in VGK history.*
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