Recap: The Golden Knights were searching for a 2-0 series lead of the Western Conference Finals with a victory in Game 2. Colorado struck first with under five minutes left in the opening frame. After 20 minutes, the Avalanche held a 1-0 edge.
Colorado committed two penalties on way play setting Vegas up with a four-minute power play, but the visitors committed their own infraction and failed to score. The middle frame was full of penalties from each team. However, neither could find the back of the net, and the score remained the same after two periods.
Vegas had several chances in the first half of the third period but couldn’t tie the game. Later in the frame, Jack Eichel tied the score with his second goal of the playoffs. Minutes later Ivan Barbashev gave Vegas their first lead of the game. Barbashev nailed an empty-netter and defeated Colorado 3-1.
The Golden Knights take a 2-0 series lead by defeating the Avalanche 3-1 in Colorado. Game 3 of the Western Conference finals is scheduled for Sunday at 5 PM PT from T-Mobile Arena. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: It was far from a pretty game from the Golden Knights’ perspective but they stuck with it like they have all season long. The Avalanche were a perfect 41-0-0 in the regular season and 4-0 when leading after the 2nd period. Jack Eichel came through with his biggest moment of the postseason and then continued wall work helped the Golden Knights take the lead a few minutes later. VGK have come into Ball Arena, against the Presidents’ Trophy winners, without their captain, and won both games by multiple goals. Absolutely incredible. (Recap by Ken)
Upcoming stories from Game 2 of the Western Conference Final series between the Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.
- Wall play, wall play, and more wall play.
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Ivan Barbashev
** Jack Eichel
* Carter Hart
KnightWatch
Wow..
The Game 2 losing streak has been broken.
Hart shows up again and kept them in it till the boys decided to wake up.
Someone finally told Jack to act like your playing golf and follow through on the swing and shoot.
Goal 2 thanks to some good board battles and then Nelson & Toews tying each other up gives the Barbs the perfect shot.
Theo had a rough game but all in all well played.
UP 2 – 0 way to GKG
rb7
YES !
Jack is back,
and put another steak on the Barby.
Avs 45-0 with a third period lead, until the Vgk magic machine took over again.
2 down, and 2 more to go at home.
Let’s go Knights.
JoeInHendo
VGK not at all intimidated by Colorado and can beat them several ways. Nice to see our Knights turn up the physicality in the 3rd and neutralize a shell shocked Avs team. No more proof needed, shoot the puck more Jack! Being the best 3rd period team this season served VGK well.
JB
Fu+k yesssssssssss! Nuff said!
Pistol Pete
Really an uphill climb for the Avs now.
Another great third period effort from the best third period team all season.
Jack Eichel 2G/1A. He’s been a defend first forward beginning 2022-23.
Carter Hart 27/28 (.964)
Leading the playoffs:
Marner and now Eichel 19 pts
Dorofeyev 10 G
Eichel 16 A
10 down six to go.
FanDuel New Jersey has the series:
VGK -240
COL +195
What a turnaround.
KnightWatch
You sure love your stats but just a correction
Carter Hart stopped 29 of 30 (.967)
Regardless, he’s a huge reason the 3rd period comeback kings even had a chance to do just that.
Pistol Pete
Right you are thanks for the heads up.
In my summary I forgot to include Torts 17-4-1.
7-0-1 regular season
10-4 playoffs
Pistol Pete
My bad Barbs got the EN thought it was Jack lol. Eichel 1G/1A (he has 18 pts not 19 Marner still leads).
Marner 19 pts
Pav 10 G
Eichel 16 A
vgk21
Defensive hockey does it again. hold the opponent to 2 or less and win every time.
I love to keep posting it, cuz it happens after another big win.
the Vgk play with heart, and Hart plays for the Vgk.
JB
One more thing. That idiot “between the benches”, for two games now, every five minutes mentions they are without Makar. Yea he’s a damn good player, but we are without our captain, who is a damn good player also. So biased against us. F him!
vgk21
yes, did you notice in game 1 that they whined about Makar’s absense for 3 hours, and then finally with 9 minutes left in the 3rd period, they decided to talk about Stone being out for Vgk too.?
KnightWatch
ESPN at it’s finest.
Think their social media team must have chimed in (after the constant online berating) because forgot exactly when they finally did mention that we were without our C.
What will they talk about if AVS get him back and no shows.
DeezNutz
Such a gutsy win. You need wins like that in deep playoff runs, you win game 1 and the losing team responds with everything they have, they control most of the game and still lose. That’s a deflating win mentally for the Avs. We still need to elevate at least 1 more time to beat these guys but I’m starting to believe. Carter Hart has been absolutely lights out so far.
TS
Best post yet! I’m still stunned at the back- to- backs in Denver!! I did NOT expect this!! As much as i had hope, I honestly was preparing for a 2nd game AVS onslaught in response, but the VGK showed their determination and GUTS in these two shockers. So very proud of the boys!!!
Holy cow— could we run the table in 4?? Couldv we really be headed to another CUP in 3 short years???? Am I DREAMING?? If i am, do NOT wake me up!!!!
Vic
It was Barbs with 2 G and 1 A and Jack with 1 G and 1 A but who’s counting?
As some have said, it’s feeling more and more like 2023. They are looking excellent in the second season which is what it’s all about. Just keep playing the same way and we’ll see what happens.
Notice two of many coaching moves by Torts…Game 1 with under a minute left, he put Dowd out there with Eichel to take the faceoff as Jack was losing some key faceoffs. Dowd wins the draw and scores the empty netter. Tonight, when the net was empty the offensive minded guys were taken off their lines and we saw Dowd and Sissons and then Barbs ends it. Jack did win some key faceoffs near the end besides playing great in a key game. Just the right amount of hits to knock the Avs around and no real pushback with rough stuff from them. Not counting them out as they may get over being shell shocked, but enjoy tonight.
Pistol Pete
I should have thought to mention Pav had two 5 on assists this important playoff game. His playmaking does appear to be evolving a very good sign.
Did the Avs really control most of the game with MacKinnon being held to one shot and Necas to two?
knights fan in minny
Hell yeah that was sweet Solid team game Carter Hart is an absolute stud What a laser by Barby It was good to see Jack get on the board we need more from him Mitch with more fantastic offensive plays Hannifin had a solid game Yeah the ESPN crew is pretty sad I wish it would’ve been on TNT instead PK Subban did pick Vegas to win it He really likes their The way Vegas plays celebrate tonight Sin City well deserved
Pistol Pete
Agree Subban is the bright spot in the ESPN coverage. Much prefer TNT.
JoeInHendo
Gotta agree with you on PK Subban. He’s the only talking head who’s consistently given VGK their props and recognizes their physical play is key to winning. He totally disagreed with McNabb getting a game suspension for his hit in the Ducks’ series and was the only one brave enough to say it on air calling it a clean, hard, playoff hockey hit.
Carl
Flashbacks to Torts leading Columbus to a 4-0 sweep against the President’s Trophy winner in 2019. This is looking like another silver medal for crybaby McKinnon.
Richie-Rich
WCF G2, VGK 3, COL 1
No one, and I mean no one would have placed a bet on the VGK taking games 1 and 2 in Colorado. Let’s be honest.
So, what are the factors that turned this team around in the order of impact as I see it.
#1 Carter Hart – absolutely the #1 factor.
#2 The return of IKEA and teaming him up with Marner and Howden.
#3 The star players are all making a difference and delivering. In this series Hertl and Barbashev have upgraded their performance and that is creating all sorts of problems for Colorado.
#4 Winning the puck battles along boards and keeping Colorado away from the middle of the ice for long stretches.
#5 The coaching change. Torts is allowing this veteran team off the leash and they are delivering.
I fully expect Colorado to win a game in Vegas, either game 3 or 4. More honesty. Game 3 is an absolute must win for Colorado. If they go down 3 games to 0 this series is basically over.
Tripp
Ken,
I like you but you outta like the taste of crow about now. Series isn’t over 2 more to go but the way you challenged Jason before the series about how good the Avs are should be noted. Jason for his credit saw the momentum and grit VGK have but you constantly challenged him. Go with your gut Jason, your eyes don’t lie. Still say VGK in 6. Ken I forgive you, you are a stats guy, stats don’t count heart and that’s what VGK has
Skipopple
I’ll agree with everyone criticizing the piss-poor ESPN coverage hyping Makar while barely mentioning Stone’s absence.
But I’m gonna say what we all should be saying:
71 coming back into the lineup and instantly finding chemistry with Marner and Howie was exactly what this team needed. I’m not saying we aren’t missing our captain, because obviously we are, but getting Wild Bill back with fresh legs has completely changed this team.
For my money, William Karlsson is the most impactful player in VGK history.
Too many of the plays that prevent bad things from happening never show up on the scoresheet, and that’s why his game gets underrated nationally. Without Wild Bill jumping back in at this level after being out so long we’re a very different hockey team. And honestly imho the only reason we’ve been able to weather having our Captain and reliable D corps deficiencies out at times (thank god Nabber came back in the 3rd) and still be able to defend at the level we have over the last 4 games.
Hart has absolutely been outstanding, but one thing 2023 taught us is that elite team defense matters just as much as a locked-in goalie.
And Barbie – just doing Barbie things in the playoffs – laying lumber and scoring big time goals – just gonna say this team went from watching paint dry in the regular season – to something that I can believe in.
knights fan in minny
Well said skip right on point
Pistol Pete
Carter Hart:
2025-26 playoffs:
14-4 (2.25/.924)
Career playoffs:
19 (2 S0)-9 (2.24/.925)
Adin Hill:
Career playoffs:
17 (3 SO)-12 (2.41/.917)
Pistol Pete
In COL’s first PP near the end of period 2 Marner strips a guy of the puck in tbe O zone and sets up Howden once again. Unfortunately Wedgewood made the save. It would have broken the shortie record for Howden. Still has a minimum of six games to do it!
Pistol Pete
Has not Theo with his minutes load, defending and blocking shots has he not stepped up and replaced Petro? Worth every penny of his $7.425m extension Another shrewd move by the FO.
Pistol Pete
Sorry for the posting volume but I keep thinking of more points this being that with that assist resulting from his strong wall play Pav sits at a point a game (10G/4A). Has really begun to address concerns about his ability to be impactful in the playoffs.
Tim
All you hear is Maker very little said about Stone our captain and energizer battery. Isn’t winning fun after a year of overtime losses game after game. Torts put fun back in the game for me. I think Tort is now 17-4-1 Cassidy couldn’t com close to that record for a 22 game stretch. It’s a long way to go but can you see the NHL in general must be seizing over our success once again. They hate us for our success and wait until we figure the cap out and pick up another stud that will have them hate us even more.
Jose
I thought you hated watching Vegas because they bore you.
Hdbiker7851
Tim – not sure your remark concerning Cassidy applies – if he was that bad and got fired as the scapegoat why is Vegas stopping him from interviewing with teams in the West? Maybe you can explain that. Wild Bill’s return and Hart playing well are better explanation
Tim
HD My guess is he was hard on the team and it wasn’t working the way the season went. How many overtime losses? Management holds a grudge with the NHL be it Tort disrespecting portal call or McNabb bullshit 5 minute and a suspension or going back to the San Jose fiasco. I’m glad we don’t take there BS and here we go again to the finals which pisses rvrtone outside of Vegas off.
FG
The turnaround in play and results for VGK has been nothing short of astounding. It wasn’t that long ago where VGK looked like a middle of the road middling team that constantly fell behind and had shoddy goaltending. Now they are two wins away from a SCF. I am not sure many saw this coming. Torts, Hart, and the return of Wild Bill have been key.
Jeffrey Sutton
Can Marcus Foligno still win the Conn Smythe for destroying Cale Makar’s arm?
knights fan in minny
Love it
JB
I’m opinion, an elite team should still be able to win, even when missing one very good player. Look at us. Missing the heartbeat of our team, the captain, who is also a top player, and an impactful Dman Laurzon! We are just a better all around team.
Rrale
I liked our talking heads pre-game calling the second line the BMW line. That line has really made a difference. As far as ESPN game announcers go that is all they have done since VGK came into the NHL. TNT may not be much better and may not be as long as Gretzky is on the broadcast.
I was really happy to see Eichel shot the puck after yelling at him to shoot the puck most of the game.
Frank
Don’t mean to put too fine a point on it…. But the recent playoff games show us….. Just how incredibly important great goaltending is! Imagine if you will, we got this type of goaltending in the regular season? I’ll definitely take it now though.. Go knights go! Still need to take it one game at a time against this very talented avs team. Cant look past them although tempting to do so.
Day One diehard in New England
I have had this site bookmarked for a very long time but never commented. I proudly wear my VGK gear here in New England all year and get nothing but compliments on the Knights. I have been to many games here as well and have never had any of the other teams so anything but good things about us. Yesterday I was flying home from a business trip and of course wearing the VGK hoodie I have had for ten
years , and all I heard in Norfolk, Va.,
Nashville, TN and Hartford, CT was the Knights are going all the way and we hope you beat those “Motherf******s!!
I agree!! Awesome turnaround. Amazing team and proud to support here in New England!!!
TS
Great comment, Day One!! It’s nice to hear that not ALL.hockey fans resent the VGK! We’ve gotten a LOT of crap for being a good.team from.the start– that we had an unfair edge somehow..(.we know that we got the outcast players that other teams didn’t.want– the Misfits).
Thanks for the positives!!
Craig teglia
Is makar all they have? So sick of hearing about him. ESPN is all over the Avs knob. Give it a break guys