For the first time in the 2026 playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche are in panic mode. They will come into Game Three of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights down two games to none. So Sunday will be vital for the Avalanche to stay in the series.

Colorado Avalanche (8–3)

The Avalanche have been struggling without defenseman Cale Makar playing the last two games. He has been rumored to be out with a separated shoulder and just needs time for it to heal. The top-six for the Avs has also been another issue. Martin Necas, who had 100 regular-season points, has produced only one goal in 11 games. Brock Nelson has only two goals and one assist in the same time frame. The bottom-six are the ones that have been stepping up for the Avs, with Ross Colton scoring the only goal in Game Two. But the top-six needs to carry their weight if they want to win games.

Projected Lines

Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas
Artturi Lehkonen – Brock Nelson – Nicolas Roy
Ross Colton – Nazem Kadri – Valeri Nichushkin
Parker Kelly – Jack Drury – Logan O’Connor

Sam Malinski – Devon Toews
Brett Kulak – Brent Burns
Nick Blankenburg – Josh Manson

Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood

Vegas Golden Knights (10–4)

Once again the Golden Knights have pushed the Avalanche around. They outworked the Avs to the puck and limited their zone exit ability. They have done all this without their captain, Mark Stone, who has been out with a back injury. The winger has been taking more reps during practice and could be ready for a return in Game Three in Vegas. Stone’s return, coupled with the excellent play by Carter Hart, has kept the Golden Knights ahead of the Avalanche in the series.

Projected Lines

Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden – William Karlsson – Mitch Marner
Brandon Saad – Tomas Hertl – Colton Sissons
Cole Smith – Nic Dowd – Keegan Kolesar

Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Andersson
Shea Theodore – Dylan Coghlan
Ben Hutton – Kaedan Korczak

Carter Hart
Adin Hill

Game Details

Time: 6:00 p.m. MT

Watch: ESPN

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM/AM 950