Calgary, Alberta – In an exciting overtime conclusion, Reilly Smith netted his second goal of the evening to propel the Vegas Golden Knights to a 3-2 triumph over the Calgary Flames. This victory on Saturday night cemented a playoff berth for the Los Angeles Kings.
In an impressive performance, Akira Schmid secured the win with 21 saves, marking his first start of the season.
Pavel Dorofeyev kicked off the scoring for the Golden Knights, tallying his team-leading 33rd goal near the end of the first period. Reilly Smith then added to the lead, making it 2-0 halfway through the second period.
Calgary’s Joel Hanley cut into the deficit by scoring with just eight seconds remaining in the second period, and Matt Coronato leveled the score just 43 seconds into the final period. The Flames were bolstered by Dustin Wolf, who stopped 31 shots during the game.
Game Insights:
Golden Knights: With this win, the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights maintained their three-point advantage over the Los Angeles Kings.
Flames: This result brings Calgary within four points of the Minnesota Wild, who did not play. The Flames are vying for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference and hold a game in hand ahead of their crucial clash at the Saddledome on Friday evening.
Pivotal Play:
A critical moment in overtime saw Smith maneuver behind the net with the puck before backhanding a shot that ricocheted off Wolf and found its way behind him into the net.
Stat Highlight:
The Golden Knights boast a strong record within their division, standing at 16-4-1 against Pacific Division opponents.
Upcoming Games:
Next on the schedule, the Golden Knights travel to face Vancouver on Sunday night, while the Flames are set to meet San Jose on Monday night.