Avalanche HC Jared Bednar gives blunt assessment of Game 3 collapse vs Vegas
The Colorado Avalanche find themselves one loss away from elimination after surrendering a three-goal lead to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Despite a dominant opening frame at T-Mobile Arena, the Avalanche conceded five unanswered goals to lose Game 3 by a score of 5-3, falling behind 3-0 in the Western Conference Final series.
Colorado established what appeared to be a commanding position early in the contest. Gabriel Landeskog opened the scoring just 3:21 into the first period, followed by goals from Nazem Kadri and Jack Drury to give the Avalanche a 3-0 advantage. However, the momentum shifted violently in the second period as Vegas began their comeback just 19 seconds after the intermission.
The Golden Knights’ surge began with a power-play goal from Captain Mark Stone, who was returning to the lineup following a lower-body injury. William Karlsson and Keegan Kolesar followed with goals to tie the game before the second intermission. The collapse left Head Coach Jared Bednar searching for answers as his team failed to maintain the pace they set during the first 20 minutes.
Jared Bednar assesses low morale after second period turnaround
Following the loss, Head Coach Jared Bednar was candid about the emotional state of his locker room. “Well it’s low. It’s as low as it can get,” Bednar told reporters in Las Vegas. He noted that the team has a “big hill to climb” for the remainder of the series, attributing the shift in Game 3 to a discrepancy in desperation between the two squads.
Bednar specifically pointed to the second period as the turning point, stating that the Golden Knights became more competitive while the Avalanche failed to match that increased intensity. The coach emphasized that against an opponent like Vegas, any mistake is quickly capitalized upon. This lack of response to pressure mirrors the internal friction seen in high-stakes motorsport sessions, where a single lapse in focus can derail an entire effort.
The Avalanche entered this round with a formidable 8-1 record in the 2026 postseason, but three consecutive losses have pushed them to the brink. Historical data suggests the odds are heavily against them; only four teams in Stanley Cup Playoff history have ever successfully come back from a 3-0 series deficit. Bednar remarked that the next 36 hours would be spent trying to get the team’s focus back in the right place.
Nathan MacKinnon injury adds to Colorado personnel struggles
Personnel issues further complicated the evening for Colorado. Center Nathan MacKinnon, who recorded just one assist through the first two games of the series, suffered a leg injury while blocking a shot during the second period. Although he remained available, MacKinnon was visibly limited in his mobility and played sparingly for the remainder of the game.
The depth of the forward group was tested even further as Val Nichushkin missed the entire third period with an undisclosed injury. While the team struggled with these sudden absences, they did see the return of defenseman Cale Makar. After being sidelined for the first two games of the series, Makar logged a game-high 27:14 of ice time and recorded three shots on goal, though he was unable to find the scoresheet.
The loss and subsequent injury reports echo the frustration professional athletes often voice when physical setbacks occur at the most critical points of a season. For the Avalanche, losing their primary offensive engine at the same time the series lead has vanished creates a precarious path forward for the defending Central Division contenders.
Vegas takes control of Western Conference Final
Vegas completed their comeback in the third period when Tomas Hertl scored the go-ahead goal at the 8:21 mark. Brett Howden eventually sealed the 5-3 victory with an empty-net goal. The win marked the second consecutive comeback victory for the Golden Knights in this series, following their Game 2 win in Denver on Friday, May 22, 2026.
The Avalanche offensive production, which seemed potent in the first period, went silent as the game progressed. Vegas managed to stifle Colorado’s top lines while peppering the Avalanche net at the other end. The betting market had favored Colorado slightly on the morning of May 24, with DraftKings listing them as -144 favorites, but the mid-game collapse shifted the series narrative entirely.
As the team prepares for the next puck drop, the focus will remain on recovery and mental fortitude. Fans looking for distractions from the playoff tension might look to upcoming international tennis openers, but for Bednar and his staff, the only priority is Tuesday night. The Avalanche must now win four straight games against a Vegas team that hasn’t lost in this series.
Elimination looms for Game 4 at T-Mobile Arena
The Avalanche have a short window to regroup before Game 4, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The game is set to start at 7 p.m. MT (9 p.m. ET) and will be broadcast on ESPN and the ESPN App. For fans in the mountain region, the game will also be available on Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM.
Bednar has urged his players to break the challenge down into smaller increments, focusing on one shift and one period at a time rather than the daunting task of winning four in a row. The availability of MacKinnon and Nichushkin will likely be a game-time decision, and their presence—or absence—could dictate the Avalanche’s strategy as they fight to keep their season alive in the Nevada desert.