LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — The Colorado Avalanche, facing a two-games-to-none deficit in the Western Conference semifinals, look to avoid the brink of elimination Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the best-of-seven National Hockey League playoff series. The puck is scheduled to drop at 8:30 p.m. PDT at T-Mobile Arena. The Avalanche (63-30-0 across all competitions this season) have dropped consecutive games on home ice, losing 4-2 on May 20 and 3-1 on May 22. A loss Tuesday would send Vegas to the conference finals with a commanding 3-0 series lead. Colorado center Ross Colton has provided a spark for the Avalanche in the series. In Game 2, the 29-year-old scored a goal on his only shot on goal. He posted a goal and an assist in the opening game of the series May 20, adding three shots on goal and two penalty minutes. During the postseason, Colton has recorded three goals and four assists across 10 games. Vegas center Ivan Barbashev has been the Golden Knights’ offensive catalyst. The 29-year-old produced two goals and an assist in Game 2, spearheading the 3-1 victory. He also contributed two shots on goal in the series opener. In the playoffs, Barbashev has tallied three goals and six assists over 12 games. The teams enter the game with contrasting postseason paths. The Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild in six games in the first round, winning four of the final five contests. The Golden Knights swept the Anaheim Ducks in four games in their opening-round series. Vegas has won three consecutive head-to-head matchups dating to April 11, a 3-2 overtime victory in Colorado. The Golden Knights also took a 6-5 shootout victory Dec. 27 on home ice. Colorado’s most recent win against Vegas came Oct. 31, a 4-2 decision at T-Mobile Arena. A win for the Avalanche would force Game 5, scheduled for Thursday in Denver. The series is scheduled to return to Las Vegas for Game 6 on Saturday if necessary.