In a series that was expected to be close between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas has a 3-0 lead going into Game 4. They will want to close out the series at home and make the Stanley Cup Final tomorrow night in a possible sweep of the Avalanche.
Game 3 Recap: Golden Knights Victorious
The Avalanche saw an important returner to their lineup in Cale Makar, who had been sidelined for Games 1 and 2 with an injury. The defenseman was back on form and had a solid game.
The first period went Colorado’s way, as they were up 3-0 by the end. Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem Kadri, and Jack Drury all scored in a dominant performance that was heightened by Makar’s presence. Pavel Dorofayev of Vegas had a goal taken away on a tough call, much to the crowd’s displeasure.
The Golden Knights weren’t about to give up, though, and surged back for the rest of the game. They had their captain, Mark Stone, back after several games off, and he scored on a power play to get the ball rolling for his team. William Karlsson and Keegan Kolesar backed that goal up in the second period.
In a bad moment for the Avalanche, Nathan MacKinnon took a puck to the knee during the second period and was clearly in quite a bit of pain. He returned in the third period but was not looking great, a huge blow for his team given the stakes. Valeri Nicushkin missed the third period after being injured.
Thomas Hertl’s goal in the third period broke the tie, and to add insult to injury, Brett Howden scored on an empty net with a minute left of the game. The final score was 5-3 to the Golden Knights. Golden Knights Goalie Carter Hart made 32 saves, and Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood made 18 saves.
Post-Game 3 Reactions
The Golden Knights were thrilled with the result and were looking to close it out at home in Game 4.
“It’s great,” Forward Mitch Marner said. “It obviously feels really good right now, but we’re playing a hell of a hockey team. We know that the next game is going to be even tougher now. … Enjoy the moment right now, for a little bit. You’re just proud of your team for responding the way they did.”
The Avalanche, meanwhile, were not in high spirits after the game. Head Coach Jared Bednar spoke to the press after the game about it.
“Well, it’s not easy,” Bednar said. “You lose Nate and Val, too. You’re running a shorter bench, and you’re just doing the best you can to try and create a chance to win the hockey game. They were hard to come by in the third, and then we obviously gave one up off the rush. How do you navigate it? You just put your head down and keep working. You’ve got three different lines, or two different lines and spot-shifting your 10th guy in to try and give some guys a break. Not ideal circumstances for sure.”
Game 4 Preview
The Golden Knights are on an absolute roll this series, but they can’t let up at all in Game 4, or they won’t be able to end the series. The Avalanche are down a few key men (possibly), but what they do have is a fantastic backup goalie in Mackenzie Blackwood, who played in Game 3 of Round 2 against the Minnesota Wild and helped the Avalanche to victory.
Wedgewood has been great, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Blackwood in his place on May 26. It’s a desperate situation for Colorado, and the Golden Knights will look to keep the winning streak going.
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