Down three goals after the first period, the Vegas Golden Knights showed their resilience once again, scoring five unanswered to beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena. The victory gives Vegas a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Final, with Game 4 set for Tuesday in Las Vegas.

The Avalanche came out flying, building a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period. A short-handed goal extended Colorado’s advantage, and the Knights’ power-play goal from Pavel Dorofeyev was disallowed because of a hand pass. But Vegas responded in the second period with three goals: Mark Stone on the power play, William Karlsson on a rebound, and Keegan Kolesar cleaning up a loose puck to tie the game at 3-3.

Tomas Hertl put the Knights ahead for good with 11:39 left in the third period, scoring a backhand goal after cutting inside. Brett Howden added an empty-netter to seal the win.

“This is a game where we showed some balls,” Knights coach John Tortorella said. “I want them to (celebrate) it a little as far as what they just did against a really good hockey club and then get back to work.”

The Knights, who won the first two games in Colorado, have now outscored the Avalanche 14-10 in the series. They are one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in franchise history.

“We knew there was a lot of time left in the game,” forward Mitch Marner said. “We’re an older group and wanted to make sure we came out for the second period and did our thing.”

The Golden Knights have been known for their even-keeled approach, which Tortorella has called “flatline” since taking over late in the regular season. That mindset was tested after a disastrous first period, but they never wavered.

“This team, in the short time I’ve been with them, has shown me nothing but (fearlessness),” Tortorella said. “They’re not afraid. They have this uncanny ability to stay together. That comes from the leadership group in there, the veteran guys.”