Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche has come and gone. The game saw the Golden Knights defend the fortress with a come-from-behind 5-3 win. Colorado jumped out to a 3-0 lead, only to fritter it away as Vegas pushed through with their physical and rush play. Now, Vegas has a 3-0 series lead and could end this series as soon as Tuesday.
Game 3 of Western Conference Final Saw Vegas Defend the Fortress
The main storyline of this game was the return of Avalanche star defenceman Cale Makar. Coming into Game 3 down 2-0 in the series, there was no surprise there. Mark Stone also returned for Vegas, which also made sense, as it would level the playing field with the return of Makar.
Credit Image: © L.E. Baskow via ZUMA Wire
Without star defenceman Cale Makar, the Avalanche are missing that extra offensive oomph, as well as the clean breakouts. Vegas has been able to play an aggressive brand of hockey, clogging up the neutral zone and forcing dump-ins by the Avalanche. Without Makar, even stars like Nathan MacKinnon could not do what he does best, which is charging up the ice and making plays. The power play was missing its main quarterback as well. In Game 3, the speed of the Avalanche returned in a big way, at least early in the game.
Colorado Stormed Out of the Gates in the First Period
The Avalanche came out flying, as they needed to, with three goals, outshooting the Golden Knights 18-5 in the period. Gabriel Landeskog established the scene with a rebound goal at 3:21. Nazem Kadri followed suit at 7:03, with a top-shelf snipe off a great pass by Martin Necas. Pavel Dorofeyev had a goal taken away at 12:34, as a review indicated that the puck went off his glove. Furthermore, it may have been batted in with a high stick. Jack Drury immediately turned the momentum back into Colorado’s favour with a short-handed breakaway goal at 13:15. A much-needed strong start for the Avs overall.
The Golden Knights have a goal called back after the officials determine the puck deflected off Pavel Dorofeyev’s glove. pic.twitter.com/7eM1fQ7Wis
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 25, 2026
What's up, shorty? pic.twitter.com/57rJw4MLKK
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 25, 2026
Vegas Responded Quickly in the Second Period
Talk about a response from the Golden Knights in the second period. Mark Stone made his presence felt just 18 seconds into the period with a goal, followed by a goal from William Karlsson at 4:05. In the second half of the period, Nathan MacKinnon blocked a shot right on the knee, leaving him in distress. He went to the dressing room near the end of the period, after sitting on the bench for a few minutes. Keegan Kolesar tied the game at 12:46, following up from his own deflection off the post. The teams went into the third period tied at three goals apiece.
Nathan MacKinnon was in some serious pain after blocking a shot. pic.twitter.com/wZ7V1RvzRG
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 25, 2026
VEGAS COMES ALL THE WAY BACK 😳
KEEGAN KOLESAR TIES IT!! pic.twitter.com/THXQOlQ6AW
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 25, 2026
Golden Knights Seal the Deal in the Third
Avs fans could breathe a sigh of relief when MacKinnon returned to the bench early in the period. Was there ever any doubt that he would return? He was noticeably labouring but still pushed through the pain. It was a much tighter checking period for both teams, but Tomas Hertl gave Vegas the lead with yet another rush goal, this time on the backhand at 8:21. Colorado had a power play opportunity soon after that, which did not look dangerous whatsoever, likely due to the injuries to Makar and MacKinnon. Brett Howden put a bow on the game with an empty-net goal after the Avs’ 6-on-5 failed to produce a goal.
TOMAS HERTL, ARE YOU SERIOUS?? 😯
FOUR STRAIGHT UNANSWERED GOALS FOR VEGAS AND THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS TAKE THE LEAD!! pic.twitter.com/6vhGafWFpR
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 25, 2026
Injuries Likely Have Cost the Avalanche Its Season
With Makar and now MacKinnon potentially not at 100%, this is a tough situation for the Avalanche. This series will be the ultimate test for their mettle, but it is more than likely a lost cause. Vegas has been relentless in its physical play, which has made life difficult for Colorado and its already damaged team. It would be a tough way for the Avalanche to go out, but it shows just how important their star players are to the team. To respond, what could the Avalanche realistically do? Go to Mackenzie Blackwood in the net? Pull out the line blender?
Looking Ahead
Vegas and Colorado will continue their series on Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights will look to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals in a sweep and get a long rest in the process. Colorado will be desperate to extend the season, but will need to do so quite literally, on one leg.
