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With six minutes to go in game three the Colorado Avalanche looked poised to take a 3-0 lead in the best of seven series against the Golden Knights. Oh how the mighty have fallen. The Avs now head back to Denver with the series tied at two. It’s now a best of three series.
The Game
Things started off optimistically with Brandon Saad putting the Avs on top 1-0 with his sixth goal of the playoffs. It was all Vegas after that.
Jonathan Marchessault scored to even things up after a bad turnover from Avalanche defender Patrik Nemeth. Nemeth froze and attempted a blind pass that went right into the hands of the opposition. After the initial shot hit the post, Avalanche players seemed to think the puck had already went in the net. After a scramble the puck went in off a bad angle shot and deflection. It was a sign of things to come.
Period one ended knotted at one goal a piece. That didn’t last long. Vegas cashed in on an odd man rush and snipe shot from forward Max Pacioretty just a minute into the second.
Vegas scored yet again with eleven minutes left in the second once again off the stick of Jonathan Marchessault.
Marchessault would complete his hat-trick six minutes into the third period giving Vegas a 4-1 lead as hats rained down from the packed T-Mobile arena.
The fifth and final goal from Vegas came on a play in which Avs goaltender Philipp Grubauer’s momentum carried the puck in after making the save initially.
Takeaways
The clearest take away from tonight’s contest is the utter domination the Colorado Avalanche top line experienced. It seems like they haven’t made their mark since Rantanen’s overtime goal in game two. A goal that came on a man advantage.
The Vegas Golden Knights have now had their way with the Avalanche for eight straight periods. Game one is now a confirmed aberration and not something we can expect to see again in this series.
Up Next
Colorado and Vegas will face off again on Tuesday at Ball Arena. The Avs will bring home zero momentum and lacking any advantage. It’s time for some of that resolve to surface for Colorado. Puck drops at 7PM MTN.