Vegas Stuns Colorado with Sweep to Reach Third Stanley Cup Final in Nine Years

Vegas Stuns Colorado with Sweep to Reach Third Stanley Cup Final in Nine Years

Mark Stone and Cole Smith propelled the Vegas Golden Knights to a surprising 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, completing a stunning sweep to secure their spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in nine seasons. The Golden Knights now await the outcome of the Eastern Conference Final, where Carolina currently leads Montreal 2-1. Vegas coach John Tortorella emphasized the significance of the upcoming finals, stating, "Now the real stuff starts. I consider the first three round playoffs. Now we’re playing for the Stanley Cup." This defeat marks a bitter end for the Avalanche, who had dominated the playoffs with an 8-1 record and secured the Presidents’ Trophy. The last team to achieve both honors in the same season was Chicago in 2013. Key moments from the game include: Stone scored following a lob pass from Brayden McNabb, showcasing his skill on a clear path to the net. Smith added a crucial goal, tipping in a shot from Dylan Coghlan with just under six minutes remaining, establishing a vital two-goal lead. Carter Hart made 20 saves, nearly achieving his first playoff shutout in six years, with Gabriel Landeskog breaking the shutout late in the game. The Avalanche struggled offensively, managing no shots on goal for over 14 minutes during the second period. Reflecting on the loss, Landeskog expressed the emptiness of defeat, stating, "It always is... It sucks. There’s no other way to put it." Meanwhile, Mackenzie Blackwood, in his first start of the series, delivered an impressive performance with 24 saves, including a highlight-reel stop against Pavel Dorofeyev. The Golden Knights' journey to the finals has been unexpected, especially after firing coach Bruce Cassidy just before the playoffs. Under Tortorella’s leadership, Vegas rebounded strongly, finishing the regular season at 7-0-1 and overcoming formidable opponents in the playoffs, including a relentless Avalanche team hampered by injuries to key players.

Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-05-27