A 2-0 road start, then a hard lesson: The Golden Knights’ warning before Game 3
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Winning the first two games on the road, the Golden Knights returned home owning what seemed like complete control of their NHL playoffs series. Against Colorado in 2026 ? Try Dallas in 2024 .
Vegas, which won the Stanley Cup less than a year earlier, instead returned home two seasons ago and lost Games 3 and 4 of their first-round series and eventually were eliminated in seven games . It's a memory that could help the players who were on that Golden Knights team fully appreciate that while opening the Western Conference Final by beating the Avalanche twice on the road is impressive, their work is far from done. “It's good to have that experience,” Vegas center William Karlsson said Saturday.
“Obviously, that was a huge letdown after coming home with two wins on the road, so definitely learn from that. ” The Golden Knights will either take a major step toward their third Stanley Cup Final appearance in nine years when they host the Avalanche in Game 3 on Sunday night, or Colorado will give itself a realistic chance to at least make it a competitive series. Avalanche forward Nicolas Roy was on that Golden Knights team that lost the 2-0 lead to the Stars.
“In these series, you never know,” Roy said. "If you have a great effort next game and you win it, then obviously shift the momentum. We believe in this group.
You look at the video, think you can do better and we’ll be ready for the next game. ” This isn't quite the same Golden Knights team that played two years ago. Eight of the 19 players who took the ice in Friday night's 3-1 victory weren't on the 2023-24 roster.