Golden Knights close in on series sweep as Avalanche face injury crisis
The Golden Knights lead the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 heading into Game 4, with historical precedent and recent momentum favouring the home side despite betting markets suggesting a tighter contest.
The Vegas Golden Knights are positioned to complete a four-game sweep of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2026 NHL Western Conference Final, with Game 4 scheduled for Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas holds a 3-0 series advantage, seeking to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for only the third time in the franchise’s nine-season history.
The momentum shifted decisively in Game 3, where the Avalanche surrendered a 3-2 lead after the return of star defenceman Cale Makar. Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, had missed the first two games of the series with an upper-body injury. Colorado appeared to regain control in the opening period, but the Golden Knights rallied in the second, capitalising on a power-play goal from captain Mark Stone, who returned to the lineup after missing five games with a lower-body injury.
The series outcome was sealed in the final minute of Game 3 when Brett Howden scored into an empty net, securing a 4-3 victory for Vegas. Howden’s goal tied him with teammate Pavel Dorofeyev for the postseason lead with 10 goals. Mitch Marner continues to lead all players in the 2026 postseason with 21 points, while Jack Eichel sits second with 18.
The Avalanche now face significant uncertainty regarding the availability of leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon. The 2026 Maurice Richard Trophy winner sustained an apparent knee injury while blocking a shot in the second period of Game 3. MacKinnon, a Hart Trophy finalist, played sparingly for the remainder of the contest, and his status for Tuesday’s game remains unclear.
Historical data heavily favours the Golden Knights. Teams facing a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series prior to the Stanley Cup Final are 0-49 all-time. Despite Vegas being one win away from the Final, betting odds currently favour the Avalanche at -115, compared to -105 for the Golden Knights, suggesting a competitive outlook despite the series scoreline.
Vegas head coach John Tortorella, who replaced Bruce Cassidy in late March, has overseen a significant turnaround, with the team posting an 18-4-1 record since the change. The Golden Knights are 2-0 this postseason when presented with the opportunity to close out a series. Colorado, despite winning the Presidents' Trophy in the regular season, has struggled to match their earlier playoff form, particularly with Makar absent for the first two games.
