The Avalanche have been finding new ways to have bad games as the start of the playoffs near closer. Sunday’s 4-3 overtime loss at Vegas was no different.

Colorado led 3-0 through two periods before giving up three goals in the final frame and falling in OT. A nearly perfect defensive performance that was wasted in the final 20 minutes of regulation.

The same defensive breakdowns that have hurt the Avs in recent weeks reared their ugly heads, again. Instead of taking control of its play heading into the playoffs, Colorado instead suffered its second consecutive embarrassing loss.

At Ball Arena on Saturday, the Avalanche were blown out 7-0 by their first-round opponent, the Winnipeg Jets. They went back to goalie Alexandar Georgiev against Vegas, hoping for a bounceback from their starter.

But the third period collapse won’t inspiring confidence for the goalie or the rest of the team. Only one game separates the Avs from a tough first-round matchup. Outside of that game Thursday against Edmonton, the team will ultimately need to make the most out of the several practice days it’ll have to prepare for the playoffs.

It was never going to be easy in the playoffs regardless of who they faced first, but the Avs aren’t doing themselves any favors with how they’re entering the postseason.

Ross Colton got the scoring started in the first period on a shot that likely should’ve been stopped. Colton beat goalie Adin Hill by squeezing his shot between Hills pad and post.

The Avs added another before the break thanks to Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Colorado’s star center fed a perfect pass to Makar, who wired it home for the 2-0 lead.

They later added to their lead thanks to a redirect from Mikko Rantanen. His 41st of the season made it 3-0.

But then the third period began, and so too did the collapse.

William Karlsson scored twice after Ivan Barbashev got the first one past Georgiev. Colorado was holding on for dear life after Vegas’ third goal with 3:37 remaining in regulation.

The Golden Knights nearly ended the game before OT. And eventually, they drew a high-sticking penalty against Avs defenseman Josh Manson with 11 seconds remaining.

The power play was successful in OT to put the game away.

Georgiev finished with 26 saves. He stopped just nine of the 13 shots faced in the third period and OT.