Nathan MacKinnon survived a scare after taking a slapshot to the side of his left knee, but the Colorado Avalanche lost Game 3 to the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3.
What happened?
The Avalanche welcomed back defenseman Cale Makar, who missed the first two games with an upper-body injury.
Makar's return seemed to boost the team, as they scored three first-period goals.
Why it matters for Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon, who leads Colorado with 15 points this postseason, was in clear pain after blocking a shot, but returned to the ice in the third period.
He finished with just 18:02 time on ice, well below his average of over 21 minutes per game.
The 2024 Hart Trophy winner had an assist in the first period, but the Avalanche squandered a first-period three-goal lead.
What comes next?
The Golden Knights can return to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in four years with one more win.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said the team is "down in the dumps" after the loss, and faces a tough hill to climb against the Golden Knights.
MacKinnon's injury is a concern, as the Avalanche cannot afford to lose their star player.
The team will need to regroup and refocus for Game 4, or risk being eliminated from the playoffs.
The Golden Knights' captain Mark Stone returned to the lineup after missing five games, and finished with a goal and an assist.
The Avalanche will need to find a way to stop Stone and the rest of the Golden Knights' offense if they want to stay alive in the series.
As of May 2024, the Avalanche are facing elimination, and MacKinnon's health is a major concern.
The team's chances of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final are slim, but they will need to win Game 4 to stay alive.