Golden Knights To Be Without 2 Key Players For Game 3

Vegas Golden Knights will be without defenseman Brayden McNabb for Game 3 Saturday night vs. Edmonton

Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy has just revealed to the media that neither key defenseman Brayden McNabb nor forward Brandon Saad will suit up for a must-win Game 3 of their series with the Edmonton Oilers.

Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said that Brayden McNabb and Brandon Saad are both out tonight; considered day-to-day

Dorofeyev is expected to play. Korczak on defence.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 10, 2025

McNabb and Saad are considered day-to-day, but the Golden Knights' days are quickly dwindling as they find themselves down 2-0 in their second-round series against the Oilers, who now have home ice for the next two games.

** LATE UPDATE: In a turn of events, McNabb has now been cleared to play in Game 3.

What happened to Brayden McNabb?

McNabb's situation certainly appeared to be the more serious one, as he crashed head-first into the end boards after a trip/shove from Viktor Arvidsson. There was no penalty called on the play that occurred with 4:57 remaining in overtime of Game 2.

It’s actually insane this wasn’t called a penalty. Hope McNabb is ok. pic.twitter.com/qkrZxVFIzk
— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) May 9, 2025

McNabb has been averaging 21:14 of ice time in Vegas's eight playoff games, with 23 hits and 20 blocked shots.

Kaedan Korczak draws back into the lineup to replace him on the blueline.

Saad, who was signed by the Golden Knights after his contract was terminated by the St. Louis Blues, had played all eight games in the playoffs thus far for Vegas. He's out with an undisclosed ailment.

35-goal scorer Pavel Dorofeyev will make his first appearance of the series, to replace Saad up front. He had two points in five games in the first round against the Minnesota Wild, with a plus/minus rating of -5. Victor Olofsson will take Saad’s spot on the second line with Dorofeyev and center Tomas Hertl.

Oilers make a change in net for Game 3 vs. Golden Knights

For the Oilers, the one big lineup change is Stuart Skinner returning between the pipes. Calvin Pickard, who has started the last six games for Edmonton in the playoffs (going 6-0), suffered a lower-body injury in a collision with Tomas Hertl in Game 2.