The Birth of the Vegas Golden Knights
In 2017, the National Hockey League (NHL) announced the expansion of the league by adding a new team in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team was named the Vegas Golden Knights and became the first professional sports team in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights were established through the NHL Expansion Draft, where the team was able to select one player from each of the other 30 NHL teams. The team’s first head coach was Gerard Gallant, and their first captain was Deryk Engelland.
The Golden Knights’ Inaugural Season
The Golden Knights’ inaugural season in 2017-2018 was nothing short of historic. The team had the best record for an expansion team in the NHL’s history, finishing with a record of 51-24-7 and 109 points.
The team’s success was due in part to the contributions of several players who were not considered top-tier talent before the season. Players such as William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Erik Haula all had career-best seasons and helped lead the team to the playoffs.
The Golden Knights’ Run to the Stanley Cup Finals
After making the playoffs in their first season, the Golden Knights went on an unforgettable run to the Stanley Cup Finals. In the Western Conference Finals, the team faced the Winnipeg Jets and won the series in five games.
The Golden Knights then faced the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite losing the series in five games, the team’s run to the finals captured the hearts of fans across the NHL and put the Golden Knights on the map as a legitimate contender.
The Golden Knights’ Recent Success
Since their inaugural season, the Golden Knights have continued to be a competitive team in the NHL. In the 2018-2019 season, the team finished with a record of 43-32-7 and made it to the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
In the 2019-2020 season, the Golden Knights finished with a record of 39-24-8 before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team once again made the playoffs but were eliminated in the Western Conference Finals by the Dallas Stars.
The Future of the Golden Knights
The future looks bright for the Golden Knights, as the team has a talented roster and a passionate fanbase. The team’s success has also helped to grow the sport of hockey in Las Vegas and across the state of Nevada.
The Golden Knights will continue to compete in the NHL’s Pacific Division and will look to win their first Stanley Cup in the near future.
Conclusion
The Vegas Golden Knights have quickly become one of the most popular and successful teams in the NHL. The team’s inaugural season was historic, and their recent success has solidified them as a contender in the league.
As the team continues to grow and develop, fans across the NHL will be watching to see what the Golden Knights can accomplish next.
