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Vegas rallies; Avalanche lose Game Three amid injuries

PUBLISHED May 24, 2026, 11:03 PM ET

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Sources: 7

Las Vegas — The Vegas Golden Knights erased a three-goal first-period deficit and beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday night, while Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon left late in the second period after blocking a shot and appeared to injure his right knee. The comeback gave Vegas a commanding 3-0 series lead and the chance to clinch a Stanley Cup Final berth in Game 4 on Tuesday in Las Vegas; Cale Makar returned from an upper-body injury for Colorado, while Valeri Nichushkin also exited injured, leaving the Avalanche with significant health and elimination concerns.

By James Porter | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Cale Makar sustained an upper-body injury in Game 5 of the conference semifinals against Minnesota.
Makar missed Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Final versus Vegas.
In Game 3, Colorado built a 3-0 first-period lead in Las Vegas.
Late in the second period Nathan MacKinnon blocked a Shea Theodore shot, limped off with a right-knee issue and did not return; Vegas scored five straight to win 5-3.
Vegas now leads the series 3-0 and can clinch a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in Game 4 on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

News Intelligence

If you're a hockey fan, this is a pivotal moment. The Golden Knights are on the brink of a Stanley Cup Final berth. For Avalanche supporters, it's a tense time with key players injured. Check the injury updates before Game 4.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 7

Who Benefited

The Vegas Golden Knights benefited by mounting a five-goal comeback in Game 3 to win 5-3, seizing a 3-0 series lead and earning the chance to clinch a Stanley Cup Final berth in Game 4 in Las Vegas.

Who Impacted

The Colorado Avalanche suffered the Game 3 loss, sustained injuries to Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin, and now face a 3-0 series deficit that places them on the brink of playoff elimination.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 7
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

The Vegas Golden Knights benefited by mounting a five-goal comeback in Game 3 to win 5-3, seizing a 3-0 series lead and earning the chance to clinch a Stanley Cup Final berth in Game 4 in Las Vegas.

Who Impacted

The Colorado Avalanche suffered the Game 3 loss, sustained injuries to Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin, and now face a 3-0 series deficit that places them on the brink of playoff elimination.