In Las Vegas, Mikko Rantanen struck for a power-play goal early in the third period to give the Colorado Avalanche a 2-1 lead in Game 3 on Friday night.
Based on the performance of the Avs thus far this postseason, it seemed to be enough.
Until the 15th minute of the period it seemed it would be enough, but Jonathan Marchessault scored at 14:42 and Max Pacioretty made it 3-2 at 15:27 to give the Golden Knights a 3-2 lead they would protect for the win.
“You know you get that first goal you just have a feeling the next one’s going to come,” Pacioretty said. “So that floater comes in from [Holden], you just have a little bit more confidence that you’re going to tip it, and that’s how it played out.”
Marc-Andre Fleury made 18 saves to get the win.
Vegas has the better of the play for the second straight game, but still trail in the series, 1-2.
“I mean, for five periods straight now they’ve been far more competitive than we have, and to dissect the game any further than that is a waste of time,” Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said.
William Karlsson scored for the Knights in the middle frame to give them a 1-0 lead.
“Once we got that second goal, momentum shifted,” Vegas’ Mark Stone said. “That’s the loudest I’ve heard a building in quite some time.”
Game 4 is set for The Strip on Sunday.
“We knew they were going to come in the last 10 minutes, and that’s what they did,” Rantanen said. “I think just a couple mistakes we made, and that’s going to cost you against a good team like Vegas. There’s no moment you can fall asleep. [Grubauer] played amazing again, but we can’t rely on him making 50 saves every night.”
Colorado’s Carl Soderberg tied the game, 1-1, in the second period.
Philipp Grubauer made 40 saves in the loss.
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