Two victories by a single goal had put HV 71 in a strong position, but a first away game in the series would be a true test, even if Leksand welcomed them on the back of four losses in a row.
What was in store at Tegera Arena was a hard-fought, aggressive battle - cross-checking five minutes in saw Axel Rindell handed a game misconduct penalty, one of seven penalties conceded in a goalless opening 20 minutes.
The second period was barely more sedate, with Anton Johansson making it 1-1 for players dismissed after he produced an illegal check to the head, but eventually, a hockey match broke out, and with just over a minute left in the period, Jonathan Ang struck the vital go-ahead goal for HV.
That allowed the Jonkoping side to carry all the momentum into the third period, which they made the most of, as Joona Luota doubled the lead with just over 15 minutes to play.
Inside the final four minutes, Leksand finally made use of a powerplay when Lukas Vejdemo struck for the second time in as many matches, but just as in game two, it was too little too late for Leksand, whose 3-1 loss was confirmed when Luota added his second with an empty-netter with one second left.
Leksand must now win four games in a row to avoid relegation to the HockeyAllsvenskan, starting with game four on 24th March. A win in that game, or any others in the series, will ensure a third play-out survival in as many seasons for HV 71.