Vegas sweep favored Colorado to make third Stanley Cup Final in nine seasons

Vegas defeated Colorado 2-1 to complete a surprise sweep and advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in nine seasons. Mark Stone scored on a lob pass from Brayden McNabb, using a direct path to the net. Cole Smith added a late goal by tipping Dylan Coghlan’s point shot with 5:45 remaining, extending the lead. Carter Hart made 20 saves, nearly recording his first playoff shutout in six years, before Gabriel Landeskog ended it. Colorado managed only one shot on goal for more than 22 minutes and finished the second period without a shot for 14:23. Mackenzie Blackwood made 24 saves in his first start, including a key late second-period stop on a power play.

"Mackenzie Blackwood, making his first start in the series, gave the Avalanche a chance to win with several dazzling saves en route to 24 saves overall. His best stop came late in the second period when he lunged to glove a power-play shot from Pavel Dorofeyev."

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