The Golden Knights rally to push the Avalanche to the brink of elimination in the Western Conference Final, plus the latest on the Hurricanes and Canadiens in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Vegas Golden Knights scored five unanswered goals to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Avalanche took the early lead in the first period on goals by Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem Kadri, and Jack Drury. However, it was all Golden Knights for the rest of the game, with Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Keegan Kolesar scoring to tie it at 3-3 in the second period. Tomas Hertl tallied the game winner, and Brett Howden netted the insurance goal in the third period.
Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone (NHL Images).
With the Golden Knights holding a commanding series lead, they can wrap up the series and sweep the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche on Tuesday in Las Vegas, starting at 9 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche were dominant in the first period, displaying the form that made them the top team in the league this season and saw them make short work of the Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild through the first two rounds.
However, their confidence wavered when Stone tallied just 19 seconds into the second period, and collapsed when Karlsson cut the lead to 3-2 less than three minutes later. They seemed to have no answer for the Golden Knights’ aggressive physical style and strong special teams play during the remainder of the game.
Stone returned to the Golden Knights’ lineup after being injured in Game 3 of their second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks. Cale Makar rejoined the Avalanche after missing the first two games with an injury. Of the two, it was the Golden Knights’ captain who had a bigger impact on this game.
Worse for the Avalanche, superstar center Nathan MacKinnon injured his right knee while blocking a shot in the second period. He tried to play through it, but his mobility was hampered. Avs winger Valeri Nichushkin suffered an undisclosed injury early in the third period and didn’t return.
Following the game, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar admitted morale was low among his players right now. They face a daunting challenge attempting to overcome a 3-0 series deficit. Only four teams in NHL history have rallied back after trailing a best-of-seven series by three games.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau reports that the addition of Nikolaj Ehlers last summer has given the Carolina Hurricanes a welcome offensive boost during this postseason. With four goals and six points, he’s on pace to exceed his previous postseason highs of five goals and seven points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes have also benefited from the production of their second line of Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Jackson Blake.
THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette examines how speed, skill, and physicality enable the Hurricanes to overcome a lopsided loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in Game 2.
TVA SPORTS: Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis told reporters on Sunday that Lane Hutson was fine after a hit by Hurricanes winger Taylor Hall during overtime in Game 2 left him limping to the bench.
SPORTSNET: The Canadiens are hoping to rewrite their home ice history in this postseason as the Eastern Conference Final shifts to Montreal for Games 3 and 4. While the Canadiens have an impressive 7-3 record on the road in this postseason, they’re 2-4 at home.