A disputed call that changed the game
Game 3 of the Western Conference Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche unfolded under bright lights in Las Vegas, with both teams looking to seize control of the series. The Avalanche entered the contest after dropping the first two games, facing a 2-0 series deficit.
Midway through the first period, the Golden Knights believed they had opened the scoring when Pavel Dorofeyev redirected a shot past the Avalanche's netminder. Officials, however, ruled that the puck had struck Dorofeyev's glove, a decision that was upheld after a video review that failed to produce clear evidence.
The reversal instantly altered the momentum. The Avalanche seized the opportunity, launching a breakaway that resulted in a short-handed goal by Jack Drury, pushing the score to 3-0 in favor of Colorado.
The two-goal swing not only erased the Golden Knights' early lead but also placed them in a deep hole, as they now trail the series 0-3 after falling behind 2-0 in the game. The Avalanche, energized by the call, continued to press, forcing the Golden Knights into a series of defensive lapses.
Fans and analysts alike noted the palpable tension that followed the call, with the arena's energy shifting as the Avalanche capitalized on the mistake. The incident underscored how a single officiating decision can reverberate throughout a high-stakes playoff matchup.