The Vegas Golden Knights swept the Colorado Avalanche 4-0 in the Western Conference Final, advancing to their third Stanley Cup Final in nine seasons [1, 2]. The decisive Game 4 ended in a 2-1 victory for Vegas, with Mark Stone and Cole Smith scoring crucial goals [1, 2]. Carter Hart made 20 saves in the game, frustrating Colorado’s offense and securing the series win [1, 2]. Gabriel Landeskog scored late to break Hart’s shutout bid but it was not enough to prevent the sweep [1].
Vegas surged late in the regular season, firing head coach Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining and promoting John Tortorella to lead the team [1, 2]. After the change, Vegas went 7-0-1 to finish the regular season and then defeated the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim Ducks in six games each during the playoffs [1, 2]. Tortorella, who won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, said, "Now the real stuff starts. I consider the first three round playoffs. Now we’re playing for the Stanley Cup" [1]. He praised his team’s defensive effort in Game 4 as their best checking effort yet [2].
Colorado entered the playoffs with an 8-1 postseason record as the Presidents’ Trophy winners but were stunned by the sweep [1]. Captain Landeskog described the defeat as "empty" and said, "There’s no other way to put it" [1].
Vegas will now face the winner of the Eastern Conference Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens, with Carolina currently leading the series 2-1 [1, 2]. The Knights aim to add another title to their relatively young franchise history. Tortorella is one win away from tying the longest-standing milestones, sitting four wins shy of a second championship [2].
