Smith's late goal lifts Vegas past Dallas 3-2 and denies Stars' bid to clinch a playoff berth

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Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) scores a goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith (1) and defenseman Thomas Harley (55) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates with the puck against Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque (22) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) — Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) scores a goal against Dallas Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith (1) and defenseman Thomas Harley (55) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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9:56 PM on Sunday, March 22

The Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) — Reilly Smith scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:38 left in the third period and the Vegas Golden Knights beat Dallas 3-2 on Sunday night, denying the Stars' bid to clinch a playoff berth.

Vegas' Mitch Marner skated into the high slot and his shot ricocheted off two Dallas players and landed near Smith, who scored from close range past a defenseless Casey DeSmith. The deciding goal came after the teams played more than seven minutes without a whistle.

Brayden McNabb and Ivan Barbashev also scored for Vegas, which snapped a three-game skid and won for just the third time in nine games. Adin Hill made 13 saves for the Golden Knights, who outshot Dallas 33-15.

Dallas' Wyatt Johnston set a franchise single-season record with his NHL-leading 23rd power-play goal. Johnston held the mark for the most in a season since the Stars moved to Dallas in 1993-94. His latest moved him past Dino Ciccarelli (1986-87) for the most for the Minnesota-Dallas franchise.

Justin Hryckowian also scored for Dallas (43-16-11), which is five points behind Western Division-leading Colorado (102). The Avalanche lead the NHL and Western Conference with a record of 46-13-10. DeSmith stopped 30 shots as the Stars lost for the third time in four games. Sam Steel had two assists.

McNabb opened the scoring at the 4:01 mark of the first period, carrying the puck out of his own zone, splitting two defenders and beating DeSmith low to the glove side.

Johnston scored his 38th of the season on a power play at 10:55 of the second and and Hryckowian put the Stars ahead with his 11th of the season at 16:48.

Barbashev tied the game at 2, scoring on a power play at 16:48 of the second after Nils Lundkvist was sent off for slashing. Barbashev took a feed from Brett Howden and scored from a tough angle near the side of the net.

Up next

Golden Knights: At the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.

Stars: Host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl