Nathan MacKinnon limped after blocking a shot with his right knee in the second period of Sunday’s Game 3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He returned in the third, but took only one even-strength shift as Colorado slipped to a 5-3 defeat, with Vegas now lead
Colorado’s Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights started with a familiar rhythm: the Avalanche battling for momentum. the kind that can still tilt a series. Then. in the second period. it was Nathan MacKinnon who took the hit to the rhythm—blocking a shot with his right knee and going down in immediate pain.
Sunday’s 5-3 loss turned into something more fragile by the time MacKinnon tried to push through it. The play came on a point shot from Canadian Olympic teammate Shea Theodore, and the whistle followed right after MacKinnon dropped.
He limped to the bench under his own power and. despite the obvious discomfort. skated for two more shifts before heading into the tunnel. When he returned during the third period, he didn’t go back to full load—taking just one even-strength shift. He also hopped over the boards for a power play and a 6-on-5 opportunity. doing just enough to show he was trying to stay involved.
MacKinnon finished with 18:02 ice time in the defeat. Head coach Jared Bednar said he did not have an update on MacKinnon’s status post-game.
The timing of the concern is brutal for Colorado. Star defenceman Cale Makar returned for his series debut in Game 3. just as MacKinnon’s health became the next problem to manage. With Vegas already in control—leading the series 3-0—any uncertainty around MacKinnon suddenly carries heavier weight than it would have a week ago.
MacKinnon, 30, entered the playoffs after a dominant regular season. He won the Rocket Richard Trophy with 53 goals in 80 games and led the Avalanche to the Presidents’ Trophy. In 12 playoff games so far, he has seven goals and eight assists.
Game 4 is set for Tuesday night between the Avalanche and Golden Knights at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
On the ice, Colorado is trying to play through a series deficit. Off it, the question now is whether the right knee incident in Sunday’s Game 3 will keep Nathan MacKinnon limited—or force the Avalanche to gamble their next push without one of their most irreplaceable engines.
Nathan MacKinnon Colorado Avalanche Vegas Golden Knights Game 3 Game 4 Cale Makar Shea Theodore injuries NHL playoffs Presidents' Trophy Rocket Richard Trophy