Game 2 Recap: Colorado stunned by third period Vegas comeback in 3-1 loss

May 22, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) reacts following a third-period goal past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41). Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images After a frustrating loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1, the Colorado Avalanche we back at it two night later hoping to even up this Western Conference Finals series. An even more frustrating loss ensued as the Avalanche gave up their first third period lead and dropped this game 3-1.

Vegas now takes a 2-0 series lead for a pair of games upcoming in their building. The Game Minus Cale Makar again, this game felt like the first meeting between these two teams. It was a cautious approach by both sides and Vegas earned a healthy amount of the shot share.

But before the end of the period Colorado would strike first. Ross Colton fired on a rebound off of a Brent Burns shot to put the Avalanche up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The second period went scoreless but each team had their opportunities on the man advantage but couldn’t cash in.

A Vegas four-minute power play was interrupted by their own penalty and Colorado had some good looks on the four-on-four. Vegas was held to just four shots in the period but the score was still just 1-0 Colorado. Midway through the third period it seemed Colorado was going to nap their way to a 1-0 victory since they hadn’t lost a game all year entering the third period with a lead but Vegas found some puck luck and got back into the game.