Vegas vs Colorado Game 2 is now complete, with Vegas coming back to win the game 3-1. The Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Final series shifts to Vegas, with the Golden Knights owning a commanding 2-0 series lead. Carter Hart made 29 saves for another stellar performance. The Colorado Avalanche had the lead for the first two periods, until Vegas came out flying in the third period, taking the lead from the hands of the stunned Avs. For the first time in the 2025-26 season, Colorado lost a game when leading after two periods.
Vegas vs Colorado Game 2 Saw A Goaltending Battle and Physical Play
Colorado Emerged With the Lead in the First Period
Credit Image: © Peter Joneleit/Cal Sport Media
Despite Vegas outplaying Colorado physically and in the shot totals, Ross Colton took advantage of a ricochet from a blocked shot from the point to rip it by Carter Hart, opening the scoring 17 minutes into the period. Scott Wedgewood stopped all 12 shots in the first, including a Mitch Marner breakaway opportunity. It was a tight-checking, hard-nosed period filled with hits and puck battles. Brayden McNabb left the bench late in the period and did not play in the final 6:20.
Scott Wedgewood comes up with a huge save! He stops Mitch Marner on a breakaway!
🎥: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/uCY53RQghu
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) May 23, 2026
Colorado Kills Off Key Vegas Power Plays in Period Two
Brayden McNabb did not return in the second period, which meant Vegas had to play the second with just five defenders. There was no scoring in the period, as the hard-checking and physical play continued. Vegas had a four-minute power play, 1:33 into the period, but it was cut short when Jack Eichel took an interference penalty 46 seconds into the man advantage. Vegas only managed two shots in their three power play opportunities, and only four total shots in the period. A strong defensive period for Colorado as they took a one-goal lead into the third.
Brayden McNabb has yet to return to Game 2 after leaving in the first period following this hit pic.twitter.com/cZkhtOpaIJ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 23, 2026
Vegas Did What They Do Best In the Third
McNabb pushed through his injury to come back to start the third period, and looked just fine. Jack Eichel tied the game 9:15 into the third after Ivan Barbashev and Pavel Dorofeyev moved through the neutral zone to dish it to Eichel, who ripped it off the post and in. Just over two minutes later, Ivan Barbashev sniped a shot bar-down on Wedgewood to give Vegas the momentum and the 2-1 lead. The Avalanche pulled the goalie with just under three minutes left, but couldn’t establish zone pressure. Ivan Barbashev was able to ice the game with an empty-netter to make it 3-1. That was all she wrote.
Storyline and Response
This was the most Vegas-style game you could see, as it was a grind from start to finish. There were chances both ways, but the game was physical, and there was not a lot of room out there. Vegas hung in there in the first two periods and struck in the third period, as they have done plenty of times in the regular season. Both goaltenders played well, but Hart continues to look better and better as the playoffs go on.
Colorado needs Cale Makar back badly, simple as that. The breakouts are missing the speed and smoothness that they could otherwise have. The Avs did not convert on the power play either, another area where Makar could shine. Vegas did a great job clogging up the neutral zone, especially late. Even if Makar is only at 50%, you’d think he’d push as hard as possible to play the next game.
Looking Ahead
Vegas and Colorado will continue their series on Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Colorado, down 2-0 in the series, will need to storm into the Fortress and win both games on the road. The big question remains: Will Cale Makar and Mark Stone return? For Vegas, they could very well continue to give their captain a chance to rest, as they have been able to win without him. Heck, why change something that is working right now?
Main Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
