Golden Knights Refuse to Take Anything for Granted Ahead of Game 4 of Western Conference Final
The Vegas Golden Knights are approaching Game 4 of their series against the Colorado Avalanche with a simple, disciplined mindset: focus only on the next game, the next period, and the next shift. After reviewing the tape of Vegas’ dramatic 5-3 comeback win in Game 3 on Sunday, coach John Tortorella emphasized that his team cannot afford to assume anything, especially with Colorado facing potential lineup changes.
The Avalanche may be without several key players. Defenseman Cale Makar, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, has already missed the first two games because of an upper-body injury and is not guaranteed to be fully healthy. Forward Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado’s leading scorer and one of the team’s most important players, is questionable after blocking a shot with his right leg in Game 3. Forward Valeri Nichushkin is also uncertain after leaving Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury late in the second period.
Still, the Golden Knights are not adjusting their preparation based on Colorado’s injury situation. Their only concern is finding a way to win again and eliminate the Avalanche for the fourth straight time. Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore said the team understands that closing out a series is often the hardest part, and he expects Colorado to bring its best effort in a win-or-go-home situation. He also said the Golden Knights need a stronger start than they had in Game 3 and must continue building their game from the opening puck drop.
That warning is based on recent experience. Vegas began Game 3 in disastrous fashion, falling behind 3-0 after the first period. Before that game, the Golden Knights had never won a postseason contest after trailing by three or more goals, going 0-19 in those situations. They broke that streak by scoring five unanswered goals and completing the comeback, but they know they cannot rely on that kind of rally again.
Forward Brett Howden echoed the team’s steady approach, saying the Golden Knights are not trying to treat the game differently because of the stakes. Instead, they want to keep improving and keep the same mindset they have carried throughout the series. He said the team knows what is on the line but is refusing to look too far ahead. The message from Tortorella remained consistent: stay focused on one game at a time.
The implications are significant. A win would send Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in franchise history and eliminate one of the league’s most dangerous teams. A loss would keep Colorado alive and give the Avalanche a chance to join one of the rarest comeback clubs in NHL history, as only four teams have ever erased a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series. With the series on the line, both teams face enormous pressure as Game 4 approaches.
