Avalanche trail 2-0 in Western Conference Final after two home losses to Golden Knights

The Colorado Avalanche face a daunting 2-0 deficit in the Western Conference Final after dropping both games at home to the Vegas Golden Knights, a hole from which few teams have recovered.

The Avalanche, who led the NHL in scoring during the regular season, have managed just three goals in the series while missing star defenseman Cale Makar, who is sidelined with an upper-body injury. Vegas took control late in both games, including a 3-1 victory Friday night in Denver after erasing a third-period deficit.

“We dug a hole. It’s on us to get out,” forward Logan O’Connor said as Colorado prepared for Game 3 in Vegas.

History strongly favors the Golden Knights. Since 1982, road teams that have gone up 2-0 in conference finals hold a 13-0 series record, according to NHL data. The Avalanche have rallied from a similar situation once, overcoming two home losses to start the 1999 Western Conference semifinals against Detroit.

“Uphill climb,” goaltender Scott Wedgewood said. “We have to flip the script on them, in their rink.”

Colorado went 2-0 in Las Vegas during the regular season, including a 6-5 shootout victory, and players hope a change of scenery can provide a spark.