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After making it out of the Central Division, it seemed like the Colorado Avalanche were well on their way to making a return to the Stanley Cup Final. I dubbed their series against Minnesota as “the real Western Conference Final”, and although I had this series going to seven, I did not expect the Vegas Golden Knights to steal the first two games of the series on the road.

I certainly have not given Vegas the respect they have deserved, having gone through two inexperienced playoff teams in Utah and Anaheim. But they are fully capable of winning this series (certainly now up 2-0), and as much as I hate to admit it, win the whole damn thing.

Now let’s pump the brakes a little, this series is far from over. If any team is able to erase a 2-0 series deficit it is Colorado. Unfortunately for them, history is not on their side. Only one team in league history has lost the first two games of a Conference Final at home and gone on to win the series, the Detroit Red Wings in 1945. It will take everything they have to complete this historic comeback.

Cale Makar has been out for the first two games this series, and his absence is weighing super heavy, as the Avalanche have only scored three goals through the first two games. Something about their offense feels off, and all that depth that produced in the first two rounds has disappeared. Nathan MacKinnon needs to take over the rest of this series (like he can), but it’s going to take a few goals from guys like Nazem Kadri and Brock Nelson if they hope to stand a chance.

Makar’s status is still up in the air for tonight’s Game 3, but he was included in the team’s walk-in social media post so it looks like he might be making his return. They were being cautious in the first two games, probably confident they could have taken a game without him. But now they cannot afford to have their superstar defenceman watch another game from the press box.

In all fairness, Vegas has been without their captain Mark Stone, who is confirmed back in the lineup tonight. He will provide a boost to a team already playing well, up in the series.

Carter Hart has been elite through the first two games, and has returned to form after missing multiple years from professional hockey. He has allowed only three goals on 69 shots, and is the main reason for the 2-0 lead. A polarizing player, having a renaissance with Vegas and entering the prime years of his career, turning 28 this summer. Hockey Canada may not touch that PR nightmare with a 10-foot pole, but could we be seeing Team Canada’s future goalie? That’s a conversation for later.

The puck drops shortly on a crucial Game 3 in Vegas. Not quite must-win territory in the literal sense, but Colorado is desperate for their first win of the series. Even if the Golden Knights take a 3-0 stranglehold on this series, I would not count out the possibility of the Avs pulling off the reverse sweep. There I go again disrespecting Vegas, surely that wont backfire, right? We shall see.