Golden Knights rally for win over Avs, cut deficit to 2-1
Golden Knights Max Pacioretty and Jonathan Marchessault scored goals in the third period of their playoff game against the Avalanche to win and avoid slumping into a 3-0 hole in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoff series. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Updated June 5, 2021 - 12:15 am

Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrate after Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) scores a goal against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Friday, June 4, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20), left wing Max Pacioretty (67), defenseman Nick Holden (22) and right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrate a goal scored by Pacioretty in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates his team 3-2 win against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) celebrates a score with defenseman Nick Holden (22), right wing Mark Stone (61), and center Chandler Stephenson (20) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) takes a shot for a score against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) reacts after a shot for a score against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights celebrate a score by left wing Max Pacioretty (67) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) is about to score a goal on Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) while Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) reaches to guard in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) and right wing Joonas Donskoi (72) watch as Rantanen scores a goal on Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) embraces Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) after Marchessault scored a goal on the Avalanche in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

A referee breaks up a conflict between Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) and Avalanche defenseman Patrik Nemeth (24) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) takes a shot under pressure from Colorado Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) and defenseman Devon Toews (7) defend the goal against Vegas Golden Knights right wing Dylan Sikura (15) in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) defends a shot against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) takes a shot at the goal against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) and defenseman Samuel Girard (49) in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) and defenseman Alec Martinez (23) defend against Colorado Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Avalanche center Jayson Megna (12) tosses a puck to fans before Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Monday, May 24, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) blocks Avalanche left wing Brandon Saad (20) in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights center Patrick Brown (38) slams Avalanche defenseman Conor Timmins (22) into the glass in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) makes an unsuccessful shot on goal while Avalanche defenseman Patrik Nemeth (24) eyes the puck in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save while center Jonathan Marchessault (81) skates toward him in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) makes a save on a shot by Golden Knights left wing William Carrier (28) while Avalanche defenseman Patrik Nemeth (24) guards him in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 6, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) attempts a shot on Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor (25) in the first period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) watches the replay of his save against Colorado Avalanche in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) defends the goal against Colorado Avalanche left wing Kiefer Sherwood (44) in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) takes a shot under pressure from Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (7) in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) drinks water during a break in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) and defenseman Nick Holden (22) defend the goal against Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save next to Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41), Avalanche center Carl Soderberg (34) and Avalanche left wing Kiefer Sherwood (44) celebrate a goal in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez (23) defend the goal against Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Fans celebrate a score by the Vegas Golden Knights against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Colorado Avalanche celebrate a goal in the second period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

The Golden Knights celebrate a win against the Avalanche in Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights won 3-2. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) looks to save the puck as Avalanche right wing Joonas Donskoi (72) skates into him and Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) guards in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) defends against Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) go for the puck in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) and defenseman Samuel Girard (49) defend the goal against Vegas Golden Knights left wing William Carrier (28) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) defends against Vegas Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

The Golden Knights celebrate a goal scored by center Jonathan Marchessault (81) in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Mark Stone skated in a large circle around center ice Friday, raising his stick in the air as a salute to the capacity crowd at T-Mobile Arena.
Before he headed off, the captain flashed a thumbs-up to the announced gathering of 17,504 signaling the Golden Knights have life in the West Division final.
Max Pacioretty’s deflection with 4:33 remaining capped a thrilling third-period comeback, and the Knights climbed back in the best-of-seven series with a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3.
Game 4 is at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at T-Mobile Arena.
The Knights trail 2-1 in the series, but have outplayed the Presidents’ Trophy winner in the past two games.
“Once we were able to break through, you use that momentum that (the crowd) gives us,” Pacioretty said. “The place was electric. You probably see and feel it up top, in the stands, through the TV. This is the best place to play, and especially in the playoffs it’s a lot of fun.”
Colorado received another outstanding effort from goalie Philipp Grubauer and nearly stole a victory despite being outshot 43-20.
Mikko Rantanen capitalized on a power play to put the Avalanche ahead 2-1 at 5:04 of the third period and extend his playoff scoring streak to 17 games dating to last season.
But the Knights rallied with two goals 45 seconds apart to stay alive in the series.
“We just stuck with it,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “We just kept our belief in our game, which I think has been in a good place if you throw out Game 1. … We played some pretty good periods of hockey against them, so it’s just a matter of sticking with it.”
Jonathan Marchessault got loose in the offensive zone, and his first attempt was stopped, but he recovered and banked the puck off Grubauer’s back from behind the goal line to tie the score 2-2 with 5:18 to play.
“I think last game we played a great game, and we should have had a better outcome, but we stuck with it tonight,” Marchessault said. “Obviously, we were down 2-1, but we were the better team out there tonight and we got some lucky bounce there.”
With the crowd still roaring, Pacioretty deflected Nick Holden’s shot from the point past Grubauer with 4:33 remaining.
“It’s tough to believe when you miss so many chances,” Pacioretty said. “You get that first goal, you just have a feeling the next one’s going to come. So when 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 finished with 18 saves, including a stop on Rantanen in the final minute to preserve the one-goal lead.
“After that big third goal we had, to be able to make a save and have people cheering me like that, it gives you goosebumps,” Fleury said. “I still get some now. It’s a lot of fun. Gives you a great feeling. It’s the reason why playing this game can be so much fun.”
The Knights struggled throughout the postseason in the first period, including the opening two games against the Avalanche, but got off to a fast start after Raiders quarterback Derek Carr cranked the rally siren.
Their forechecking pressure and play in the neutral zone that worked so well in the second and third periods of Game 2 pinned Colorado in its own zone for extended stretches.
The Avalanche finished with three shots on goal in the period, but the Knights were unable to cash in on their two chances with the power play and allowed Colorado to stay close.
Shea Theodore and Alec Martinez were turned away by Grubauer at the end of the Knights’ first man advantage, which had a difficult time entering the offensive zone.
Grubauer slid to his left to deny Reilly Smith’s one-timer in the final minute for the last of his 14 first-period stops.
The Knights finally took their first lead of the series 4:38 into the second period. Alex Pietrangelo’s shot from the right point was blocked, but William Karlsson shook free and kicked the loose puck onto his backhand before flicking in his third goal of the postseason.
The lead lasted 1:29, as Colorado’s revamped fourth line found room through the neutral zone on the rush and tied the score 1-1.
Former Golden Knights forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare launched a shot from the left wing that Fleury couldn’t handle, and Carl Soderberg cleaned up the rebound for his first goal of the postseason.
“Even when we’re down, I still think we have that faith of we believe in ourselves that we can turn things around,” Karlsson said. “Obviously you’d rather want to play with the lead. But that’s what I like about this team, that we never give up.”
Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.
Series schedule
Avalanche lead 2-1
Game 1: Avalanche 7, Knights 1
Game 2: Avalanche 3, Knights 2, OT
Game 3: Knights 3, Avalanche 2
Game 4: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, T-Mobile Arena (NBCSN)
Game 5 — 6 p.m. Tuesday, Denver, (NBCSN)
x-Game 6: Thursday, T-Mobile Arena, (TBD)
x-Game 7: June 12, Denver, (TBD)
x-If necessary