Full Breakdown
Golden Knights Rally from Three-Goal Deficit to Take 3-0 Lead Over Avalanche
5/25/2026, 10:39:19 PM
Game 3 Overview
Colorado built a 3-0 first-period lead (Landeskog 3:21, Kadri ~10:00, Drury 13:15). Vegas answered: Mark Stone 0:19 (PP), William Karlsson 4:05, Keegan Kolesar 7:14 tied the game. Tomas Hertl’s backhand at 8:21 of the third gave a 4-3 lead; Brett Howden’s empty-net sealed a 5-3 win, putting the Knights up 3-0 in the series.
Background & Context
The Avalanche entered as Presidents’ Trophy winners (121 points, league-best 3.63 GPG, 2.40 GAA). Vegas held a 2-0 series edge and had never erased a three-goal deficit in the playoffs (0-19 record). This comeback marked the franchise’s first three-goal rally and the 10th time a team leads 3-0 over a Presidents’ Trophy champion.
Key Contributions
Stone’s return yielded a power-play goal and the assist on Hertl’s winner. Karlsson scored his first goal; Kolesar tied it. Marner added two assists, reaching 14. Hart stopped 32 of 35 shots. Colorado’s early goals were by Landeskog, Kadri and Drury.
Data & Statistics
Final 5-3; series 3-0. Hart: 32 saves on 35 shots (19 in final two periods). Avalanche: 22 shots on goal. Vegas shot share: 41.82 %. Stone’s 40th playoff goal (franchise record). Marner’s 14 assists (fourth-most in franchise history). First three-goal comeback in nine-year franchise history.
Official Statements & Responses
Tortorella said Stone’s return “gave the team a huge presence in the locker room.” Stone described his comeback as “great” and said it helped the group “regroup.” Bednar noted that Cale Makar’s participation was “Cale’s decision.” Colorado staff cited power-play struggles after a 0-4 showing in Game 2.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts pointed to Colorado’s power-play inefficiency, noting a continued inability to convert despite early momentum. Fans highlighted a disputed no-goal call on Pavel Dorofeyev that some felt altered the game’s flow.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is a game where we showed some balls,” — John Tortorella, head coach, Vegas Golden Knights
- “We came back in here and just kind of regrouped,” — Mitch Marner, forward, Vegas Golden Knights
- “I don’t like watching ever. I want to play every game,” — Mark Stone, captain, Vegas Golden Knights
- “It’s gonna be Cale’s decision on if he’s coming back. He’s doing all the work. I don’t make that decision for him,” — Jared Bednar, head coach, Colorado Avalanche
Conflicts
Reports differ on Makar’s impact—one notes six blocked shots, another stresses his absence as a key loss. The disputed Dorofeyev no-goal call has no official clarification.
Why It Matters
The victory made Vegas the 10th team to lead 3-0 over a Presidents’ Trophy champion and the first to erase a three-goal deficit in franchise playoff history, shifting momentum toward a possible sweep.
What’s Next
Game 4 returns to T-Mobile Arena Tuesday; a win would complete a sweep, while Colorado must decide on Makar’s status and adjust its power-play.
