The Colorado Avalanche are on the verge of elimination after suffering a 5-3 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night, squandering a three-goal lead in the process.
The loss puts Colorado down 3-0 in the Western Conference Final, a deficit no NHL team has ever overcome in a best-of-seven series.
Nathan MacKinnon, a Hart Trophy finalist, played through a painful knee injury sustained in the second period.
He was struck by a Shea Theodore slapshot on the unpadded outside of his right knee, forcing him to briefly leave the ice.
MacKinnon returned for four limited shifts in the third period, primarily on the power play, finishing with 18 minutes of ice time and an assist on Gabriel Landeskog's goal.
Goaltender Praises MacKinnon's Grit
Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood commended MacKinnon's determination to stay in the game despite the injury.
"You might have to kill him to get him off the ice," Wedgewood said. "Just kind of the person he is, the competitor he is.
He obviously proves that every time he's on the ice. He wants to win more than anybody."
Wedgewood also reflected on the game's turning point, noting the Avalanche's strong start faded in the third period.
"We came out hot... and then one play unfortunately decides it in the third," he said.
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Las Vegas, where the Avalanche will fight to extend their season.
