SPORTS : Carter Hart stops 36 shots & Golden Knights upset Avs 4-2 in GM 1
News 3 LV
Last updated: May 21, 2026
The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in the opening game of the Western Conference Final. Vegas capitalized on defensive miscues from Colorado, who were without defenseman Cale Makar. The Golden Knights' strong defensive play and goaltending were key factors in their victory.
- Key Events and Performance: Dylan Coghlan scored his first playoff goal and NHL goal since 2021, opening the scoring for Vegas. Pavel Dorofeyev and Brett Howden also contributed goals for the Golden Knights. Carter Hart made 36 saves, providing a solid performance in net. Colorado managed to make it a one-goal game late in the third period with a power-play goal from Gabriel Landeskog and a goal from Valeri Nichushkin, but an empty-net goal by Nic Dowd sealed the win for Vegas.
- Team Analysis and Impact: Vegas demonstrated a smothering defensive performance, controlling the neutral zone and blocking 23 shots. The absence of Cale Makar seemed to disrupt Colorado's blue-line pairings, leading to defensive confusion. Both coaches acknowledged areas for improvement despite the outcome, with Vegas coach John Tortorella emphasizing that his team did not play a flawless game.
- Series Outlook: This marks the second playoff series between these two teams. Colorado suffered their first home loss after a five-game winning streak. Both teams recognized the competitiveness of the series and the need for continued improvement.
