{"id":491192,"date":"2026-05-24T13:39:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T17:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=491192"},"modified":"2026-05-24T13:39:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T17:39:05","slug":"nhl-predictions-west-final-game-3-stanley-cup-playoffs-colorado-avalanche-vs-vegas-golden-knights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/05\/24\/nhl-predictions-west-final-game-3-stanley-cup-playoffs-colorado-avalanche-vs-vegas-golden-knights\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: West Final, Game 3, Stanley Cup Playoffs Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, writers here at Last Word On Hockey<\/em> take a look at the slate of games and predict the outcome. This and other series can be found in the NHL Predictions section. In this edition of Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions, the Colorado Avalanche face their biggest test of the season as they head to Las Vegas trailing the Western Conference Final 2-0. The Avalanche have played well enough to win stretches of both games, but the Golden Knights continue capitalizing on mistakes and finding goals in the biggest moments.<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions: Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights Game 3<\/h2>\n

Series:<\/strong> Vegas lead 2-0<\/p>\n

Time:<\/strong> 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time | 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time<\/p>\n

How to Watch \u2013 US TV: ESPN, ESPN+ | Canada TV: SN, SN+, CBC, TVAS<\/h2>\n

Location:<\/strong> T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada<\/p>\n

Setting the Stage<\/h2>\n

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Credit Image: \u00a9 Spencer Lee\/ZUMA Press Wire<\/p>\n

The first two games of this series<\/a> have been much closer than the results suggest. Colorado carried play for long stretches in both contests, yet Vegas leaves Denver with a 2-0 series lead<\/a>. Anaheim Ducks’ fans may recognize the pattern.<\/p>\n

The Golden Knights won Game 1<\/a> by a 4-2 score before rallying from a third-period deficit in Game 2. Colorado entered Friday’s game<\/a> with a 45-0 record when leading after two periods during the regular season and playoffs combined. Vegas erased that advantage with three third-period goals to complete another comeback.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the pressure now belongs entirely to the Avalanche. Another loss would place the Presidents’ Trophy winners on the brink of elimination.<\/p>\n

Colorado Avalanche Storylines<\/h2>\n

Everything still revolves around Cale Makar<\/a>. The star defenceman missed both games in Denver and remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Colorado has generated chances without him, but the Avalanche have clearly missed his ability to drive transition, quarterback the power play, and create offence from the back end.<\/p>\n

However, Colorado is hardly panicking. Jared Bednar believes his team has another level to reach and pointed to several correctable mistakes that have fuelled Vegas’ transition game. The Avalanche continue to believe they can turn the series despite the 2-0 deficit.<\/p>\n

Nathan MacKinnon<\/a> also remains the player capable of changing everything. The Avalanche superstar has been held without a goal in the series, but his ability to take over games remains unmatched.<\/p>\n

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Colorado goal!Scored by Ross Colton with 03:01 remaining in the 1st period.Assisted by Brent Burns and Nazem Kadri.Colorado: 1Vegas: 0#VGKvsCOL #GoAvsGo #ForgedInGold <\/p>\n

— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-05-23T00:59:57.335853Z<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n