Overview
- McNabb was struck in the face by an 87-mph slap shot during Game 2 and left to receive hospital treatment before rejoining the team.
- He traveled back with the Golden Knights and participated in pregame warmups on Saturday wearing a full protective cage while being listed as a gametime decision.
- Team and media reports at warmups indicated McNabb would play in Game 3, a move that removes uncertainty about one of Vegas’s regular defensive fixtures.
- His presence alters late defensive pairings and short-term roster planning because McNabb is a primary penalty killer who averages roughly 20 minutes per game in the playoffs.
- McNabb has missed only one postseason game so far for a suspension, so his choice to play shows the veteran role he fills and could affect Vegas’s depth and injury management in the coming games.