The Vegas Golden Knights are heading to Anaheim with a commanding 3-2 series lead over the Ducks, poised to close out their conference semifinal on Thursday. But they'll have to do it without one of their most reliable defensemen.

Brayden McNabb has been suspended for one game following a hit on Ducks forward Ryan Poehling during Tuesday's Game 5, as announced Wednesday by the NHL's Department of Player Safety. The play occurred at 8:55 of the first period, with McNabb receiving a major penalty for interference and an automatic game misconduct.

Losing McNabb early was a gut punch for Vegas, but the team showed remarkable resilience. Despite playing the rest of the game shorthanded on the blue line, the Golden Knights battled back after the Ducks tied it 2-2 in the third period, ultimately winning 3-2 in overtime to grab the series lead.

"It's just no sense talking about it ... I just don't get it," head coach John Tortorella said after the game. "High marks for the whole team tonight. I'm proud of the team tonight. Getting down, losing Nabber, one of our top D, losing him — I think he played three minutes — and still finding a way to get things done, to get a win, I'm really proud of the hockey club."

For fans tracking the series, this suspension adds another layer of drama. The Knights will need to dig deep into their defensive depth to contain a desperate Ducks team on home ice. It's the kind of adversity that often defines a championship run — and Vegas has shown they're ready for the challenge.