Golden Knights’ Brayden McNabb returns for Game 3 after trip to hospital

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb was back in the lineup Saturday night for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes after taking a puck to the face and being forced to go to a hospital during Game 2.

When McNabb was introduced ahead of Game 3, the Vegas crowd let out a monstrous pop, excited to see their top-pair defender return to the series.

In Game 2, McNabb left the ice immediately after taking a puck directly to the face. He did not return and had to go to a local hospital in North Carolina.

In Game 2, the 6-foot-4 defender logged in 5:35 of ice time over seven shifts. In 16 playoff games this spring, McNabb has a goal and six assists for seven points, averaging 20:53 of ice time and a plus-10 rating.

In 63 regular-season games in 2025-26, McNabb had five goals and seven assists for 12 points, averaging 20:31 of ice time. The Davidson, Sask., native was an original Vegas Golden Knight and is now in his ninth season with the club. He was part of their first Stanley Cup championship in 2023.

In 885 career regular-season games with the Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres, the 35-year-old defender has 38 goals and 153 assists for 191 points.