The Vegas Golden Knights entered Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final without any formal update on defenseman Brayden McNabb, who exited Game 2 after taking a puck to the face. McNabb was taken to a local hospital after the play, leaving his status uncertain as Vegas prepared to face a tied series.
The injury happened in a frightening sequence when a shot from Carolina Hurricanes forward Nik Ehlers, listed at 87 mph, struck McNabb near the visor. He fell to the ice, later rose to his skates while holding his nose, and quickly headed off the ice before leaving the arena.
No clear answer from the team
Coach John Tortorella said there was still no update on McNabb, and the team did not confirm whether he would be available. Shea Theodore, McNabb’s usual defense partner, also said he saw him at the practice facility but did not have any additional information.
The uncertainty left Vegas waiting on one of its most important blue-line pieces. McNabb’s situation mattered even more after the Golden Knights dropped Game 2, 4-3 in overtime, and saw Carolina level the series at 1-1.
Possible lineup changes if McNabb cannot play
There were signs that Vegas was preparing for the possibility of a replacement on defense. Kaedan Korczak briefly skated with the reserves before leaving the ice, which often signals a potential lineup move if a regular is unavailable.
Korczak has appeared in 12 playoff games for Vegas this postseason and last played in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against Colorado. If McNabb sits, the Golden Knights could also reunite Theodore with Dylan Coghlan, a pair that did not allow a goal in 37 minutes together in the playoffs.
Coghlan said he believes Theodore makes life easier for any partner. “He’s a pretty amazing player,” Coghlan said, while noting that whoever steps in would have a chance to perform well beside him.
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