DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche entered the Western Conference final with an aura of near invincibility after leading the NHL wire to wire, and cruising through the first two rounds in just nine games. Loaded with star talent and Stanley Cup experience, the Avalanche were the clear-cut favorite to win it all dating back to October.And the Vegas Golden Knights have them on the ropes.Jack Eichel tied Game 2 midway through the third period and Ivan Barbashev scored just over two minutes later as Vegas became the first team to mount a third-period comeback against Colorado all season, winning 3-1 and taking a commanding 2-0 series lead as the series shifts to the desert for Sunday’s Game 3.Colorado had been a staggering 45-0-0 when leading after two periods, including a 4-0 mark in this postseason. But Vegas — loaded with star talent and championship experience itself — has quickly punctured that Colorado aura.In Game 1, the Knights simply outplayed the Avalanche, cleaner with the puck and stout defensively, clogging shooting lanes and slowing Colorado down in the neutral zone. In Game 2, they stole one, withstanding wave after wave of Colorado attacks, killing off two penalties and keeping the game within reach until they finally solved Scott Wedgewood in the third period. The Avalanche seemed almost stunned after the quick goals and never regained the momentum.Eichel got Vegas on the board with a snipe of a wrist shot that beat Wedgewood high. It was a clever play by Eichel, who backed his defender off, then cut back and delayed, holding his release until the traffic entered Wedgewood’s sightline, then fired it past the goalie.Barbashev followed it up with another wrist shot from distance that beat Wedgewood high. The Vegas forecheck forced a turnover in the Avalanche end, then Eichel found Barbashev for the shot. He fit the puck perfectly over Wedgewood’s outstretched blocker, and underneath the cross bar to put Vegas ahead.Vegas’ PK still specialThe Golden Knights’ penalty kill has been dominant throughout this postseason, and continued to be on Friday night. The unit does an exceptional job of taking away passing lanes, and pressuring puck carriers at just the right time. It’s a combination of the rangy, intuitive players Vegas has on its kill, and a great system run mostly by assistant coach John Stevens.Colorado had zero shots on goal on its two power plays on Friday, and only two shot attempts.Vegas killed both of Colorado’s power plays without allowing anything dangerous. Mitch Marner and Brett Howden threatened shorthanded, as they have throughout the postseason. The Golden Knights have now killed 37-of-43 power plays in these playoffs (86 percent), and 4-of-5 in this series (80 percent). —Jesse GrangerMcNabb and Manson in and outThe Golden Knights briefly lost defenseman Brayden McNabb midway through the first period due to an apparent injury, but he returned to play the third period after sitting out the entire middle frame. The veteran laid a powerful hip check near his own blue line on his final shift in the first period, was hunched over following the whistle, and hobbled down the tunnel to the dressing room shortly after.