Corey Masisak

Avalanche beat reporter

Corey Masisak

Corey Masisak has covered the NHL at both the local and national levels since 2007. His stops as a beat writer have included the Capitals for the Washington Times, plus the Devils and Sharks for The Athletic.

Nathan MacKinnon (29) and Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche await a face off against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon will play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final

May 26, 2026 at 1:07 p.m.

Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon will play in Game 4, coach Jared Bednar said Tuesday morning.

Brett Howden (21) of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates scoring an empty netter as Gabriel Landeskog (92) of the Colorado Avalanche reacts during the third period of the Golden Knights鈥� 5-3 win in Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Vegas now leads the series 3-0. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

What’s gone wrong during the Avalanche’s sudden, stunning spiral? A lot

May 25, 2026 at 7:09 p.m.

As the collection of media members shuffled out of a stunned Colorado Avalanche locker room Sunday night, the group went by the entrance to the Vegas Golden Knights room at...

Nathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche exits the game during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Nathan MacKinnon injury casts further pall over stunning Avalanche collapse

May 25, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

At first, it looked like maybe just a bad stinger, like getting hit really hard on the funny bone.

Nathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche writhes in pain before exiting the game during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Avalanche blows three-goal lead to Golden Knights, Nathan MacKinnon injured in another stunning loss

May 24, 2026 at 10:33 p.m.

For 20 minutes, the world-beating Colorado Avalanche made an appearance in the Western Conference Final.

Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche passes from his knees as Noah Hanifin (15) of the Vegas Golden Knights pressures during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Avalanche – Golden Knights Game 3: Live updates, analysis, highlights

May 24, 2026 at 9:02 p.m.

Live updates, analysis, game highlights and more coverage from Game 2.

Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche prepares for a face off against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of the Oilers鈥� 4-3 win at Ball Arena on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar will return for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final

May 24, 2026 at 5:51 p.m.

Cale Makar is back.

Center Nathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche pushes to the goal while defenseman Shea Theodore (27) of the Vegas Golden Knights pursues him during the third period of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

With or without Cale Makar, Avalanche need more offense from its stars to have a chance in this Western Conference Final

May 23, 2026 at 4:45 p.m.

The Colorado Avalanche's process has made this team successful over a very long period of time, but time is now running out for the results to match.

Right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) of the Colorado Avalanche tries to box out defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) of the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Vegas stuns Avalanche with two quick third-period goals to go up 2-0 in Western Conference Final

May 22, 2026 at 10:11 p.m.

For the first time in the 2025-26 season, this Colorado Avalanche dream run is in real danger of becoming a nightmare.

DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) of the Colorado Avalanche kicks the puck away while center Jack Eichel (9) of the Vegas Golden Knights and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche vy for position during the second period of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

How it happened: Avalanche blow late lead to Golden Knights to go down 0-2 in Western Conference Final

May 22, 2026 at 9:10 p.m.

Live updates, analysis, game highlights and more coverage from Game 2.

Defenseman Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche takes a shot during the first period of game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Avalanche star Cale Makar out for Game 2 of Western Conference Final

May 22, 2026 at 11:38 a.m.

Cale Makar remains out of the Western Conference Final.

抖阴ap

Corey Masisak

All Stories

Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon will play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final

What’s gone wrong during the Avalanche’s sudden, stunning spiral? A lot

Nathan MacKinnon injury casts further pall over stunning Avalanche collapse

Avalanche blows three-goal lead to Golden Knights, Nathan MacKinnon injured in another stunning loss

Avalanche – Golden Knights Game 3: Live updates, analysis, highlights

Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar will return for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final

With or without Cale Makar, Avalanche need more offense from its stars to have a chance in this Western Conference Final

Vegas stuns Avalanche with two quick third-period goals to go up 2-0 in Western Conference Final

How it happened: Avalanche blow late lead to Golden Knights to go down 0-2 in Western Conference Final

Avalanche star Cale Makar out for Game 2 of Western Conference Final