LIVE BLOG: Golden Knights rally past Avalanche in 3rd period, take control of series

The Vegas Golden Knights will try to put the Colorado Avalanche in a massive hole when they meet in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Friday at Ball Arena in Denver.

The Knights lead the best-of-seven series after taking Game 1.

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Knights complete comeback

Goals in the third period by Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev (2) give the Golden Knights a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

The Knights lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 and are headed home for the next two games.

Carter Hart with another strong showing, making 29 saves.

Knights add to lead

The Avalanche pulled goaltender Scott Wedgewood and the Knights find the empty net for some insurance.

Ivan Barbashev buried it from the neutral zone with 1:03 remaining to put the Knights up 3-1 over the stunned Avalanche.

Colorado was 41-0 during the regular season and 4-0 in the playoffs when entering the third period with a lead.

Knights take lead

The Golden Knights pounce on a turnover and Ivan Barbashev takes advantage.

He fires from the high slot past Scott Wedgewood and the Knights lead 2-1 over the Avalanche with 8:38 remaining in the third period.

The Knights might have found a hole in Wedgewood’s stick side, as both goals have beaten the Avalanche goaltender there.

Knights find equalizer

Jack Eichel breaks his 10-game goal-scoring drought to tie the game with 10:45 remaining in the third period.

Eichel was given room in the right faceoff circle and he fired a shot that beat Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood to the stick side and off the inside of the far post.

Golden Knights 1, Avalanche 1

Knights can’t cash in

The Golden Knights power play was unable to convert after Tomas Hertl ate a high stick from Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns.

They’re now 0-for-4 with the man advantage.

The Knights still trail the Avalanche 1-0 with 12:19 remaining in the third period.

Golden Knights back to PK

Shea Theodore picks up another penalty, this time a hooking call against Nathan MacKinnon at 1:52 of the third period.

This is a big kill for the Knights, who trail the Avalanche 1-0.

3rd period begins

The Golden Knights have 42 seconds of the Shea Theodore left to kill as the Avalanche look to double their lead.

Defenseman Brayden McNabb has returned to the game after being out since the first period.

End of 2nd period

The Avalanche turned up the intensity that period and started to get to their game. Colorado outshot the Knights 9-4 and will start the third period with 42 seconds left on the power play.

Avalanche 1, Golden Knights 0

Theodore off for slashing

The Golden Knights have to kill a late penalty as Shea Theodore puts the lumber to Colorado’s Martin Necas and is whistled for slashing at 18:42 of the second period.

It’s 1-0 Avalanche with a chance to extend the lead.

Knights headed to PP

It’s heating up in Game 2, as the physical play is picking up.

Former Knights center Nic Roy is in the penalty box for hooking and the Golden Knights get a power play with 6:29 remaining in the second period.

Eichel heads to box

Jack Eichel did a drive-by and sideswiped an Avalanche player in the neutral zone. The refs don’t buy Eichel’s case and he’s off for interference.

We’re skating 4-on-4 now.

Golden Knights get extended PP

Double whammy against Colorado’s Martin Necas, who gets a slashing penalty and then trips Ivan Barbashev.

The Knights will have a 5-on-4 power play for four minutes.

Colorado leads 1-0 less than two minutes into the second period.

2nd period underway

The Golden Knights trail the Avalanche 1-0. Defenseman Brayden McNabb did not return for the start of the second period.

End of the 1st period

The Golden Knights started well and created a number of chances but it was Colorado that found the back of the net when Ross Colton scored with 3 minutes remaining.

The Avalanche lead 1-0. Shots ended up 12-12.

McNabb not on bench

Defenseman Brayden McNabb headed to the Golden Knights locker room, according to the ESPN broadcast.

That leaves the Knights with five defenseman, meaning Dylan Coghlan and/or Kaeden Korczak will have to take on more minutes if McNabb can’t return.

Avalanche open scoring

After 17 minutes of intense hockey, the Avalanche got on the board first.

Kaedan Korczak blocked a shot, but the puck fell to Ross Colton and he whipped a shot over the left shoulder of Knights goalie Carter Hart.

Colorado leads 1-0 with 3 minutes left. Brent Burns and Nazem Kadri get the assists.

Colorado is 5-0 in the playoffs when scoring first and was 42-2-6 during the regular season.

Marner can’t convert

Mitch Marner got behind the Avalanche defense and fired a shot from the slot that was stopped by Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood.

Marner was able to get a stick on the rebound, but Wedgewood stayed square to that shot as well.

It stays 0-0 with 5 minutes remaining in the first period.

Hart scrambles to make save

Carter Hart left his crease to poke-check the puck away, but it went to Avalanche forward Logan O’Connor, and Hart had to hurry back into position to make the stop.

There’s 10:41 left in the first period and the Golden Knights and Avalanche are knotted 0-0.

Knights match Avs’ intensity early

It’s been a solid start for the Golden Knights, who produced a couple of good scoring chances in the opening minutes. Mitch Marner had a chance that was turned aside by Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood and Brandon Saad also had an early look.

Shots are 7-2 in favor of the Knights with 13:57 remaining in the first period.

Game 2 is underway

The puck is down and the Golden Knights and Avalanche are off and running in Game 2 at Ball Arena in Denver.

Golden Knights lineup for Game 2

No changes for Avalanche

Colorado is going with the same lineup. It looks like this:

Forwards

Landeskog - MacKinnon - Necas

Lehkonen - Nelson - Roy

Colton - Kadri - Nichushkin

Kelly - Drury - O’Connor

Defense

Toews - Malinski

Kulak - Burns

Blankenburg - Manson

Goalie

Wedgewood

Stars out for both teams

The Vegas Golden Knights will have to try to take control of the Western Conference Final without captain Mark Stone, as he’ll miss Game 2 against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, coach John Tortorella said.

Stone took part in the Knights’ optional morning skate at Ball Arena but remained on the ice afterward skating with skills coach Sean Farrell. This will be his fifth straight game missed.

Colorado will have to try and even the series without defenseman Cale Makar, who will also miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury.

Makar was a full-contact participant in practice Thursday and skated with his team Friday morning, but coach Jared Bednar ruled him out.

— Danny Webster

Knights need to improve in Game 2

Game 1 hasn’t been an issue for the Vegas Golden Knights in the playoffs. It’s the follow-up game — the response — from the other team that’s challenged them.

The Knights are 10-10 all-time in Game 2, and they’re expecting an answer from the Colorado Avalanche heading into Game 2 of the Western Conference Final.

Knights thriving away from home

Golden Knights coach John Tortorella reiterated on Thursday that the Knights can be better in several phases, that they must raise their level of game.

This much is also true: It’s easier to win on the road when you have Brett Howden playing as he is.

The forward scored again Wednesday and now has goals in six straight road games. The Knights are 5-2 away from T-Mobile Arena this postseason. Yeah. Those loud opposing crowds aren’t doing much damage to their psyche.

— Ed Graney

Series schedule

Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Avalanche 2

Game 2: Friday, 5 p.m. at Ball Arena (ESPN)

Game 3: Sunday, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN)

Game 4: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN)

*Game 5: Thursday, 5 p.m. at Ball Arena (ESPN)

*Game 6: May 30, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ABC)

*Game 7: June 1, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN)

*if necessary

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.