What injury status affects Golden Knights Game 3?

Mark Stone returns; Cale Makar’s status unclear

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone is set to return for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Colorado Avalanche. He missed the final three games of the Golden Knights’ second-round series and the first two games of the West Final with a lower-body issue, and his comeback is a key storyline as the series moves to Las Vegas.

At the same time, Colorado’s Cale Makar is listed as questionable. That uncertainty matters because Makar is central to the Avalanche’s transition play and overall offensive creation, and losing him—or having him limited—could swing matchups in both even-strength and special teams situations.

Why it matters:

• Game-to-game impact: Stone’s return can stabilize Vegas’s forward depth and defensive responsibilities, especially in a series where small margin shifts often decide games.
• Offensive ceiling: If Makar can’t play or isn’t at full strength, Colorado’s ability to generate high-danger chances may be reduced.
• Series pressure: Game 3 is especially pivotal because Colorado is facing a high-stakes situation down 2-0 in the series; any lineup changes become magnified.

The Avalanche, facing a near must-win scenario in Game 3, are also being assessed through this lens: their season trajectory is tied closely to Makar’s availability, and Vegas will be trying to maintain the structure that has carried them early in the finals.

In short, Vegas gets Stone back, Colorado’s biggest question is Makar’s health, and both developments could directly affect who controls the tempo in the first 40-60 minutes of the game.