Golden Knights punch ticket to playoffs with win over Avalanche
Vegas becomes 1st team to qualify in inaugural season since 1967-68
William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault each scored to help the expansion Vegas Golden Knights clinch a playoff spot with a 4-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night.
The Golden Knights became the first team to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season since the league expanded for the 1967-68 season.
It was also the 200th career victory for coach Gerard Gallant.
Alex Tuch and Shea Theodore also scored for Vegas, and Marc-Andre Fleury improved to 28-11-4 after stopping 28 shots.
The following focuses on the <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenKnights?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GoldenKnights</a>’ achievement as it relates to NHL history, dating back to 1917-18.<br><br>Playing under different rules and circumstances, 11 other franchises reached the playoffs in their first NHL season. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLStats?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLStats</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/vMPTRCJkVs">pic.twitter.com/vMPTRCJkVs</a>
—@PR_NHLThe Golden Knights host San Jose on Saturday and are six points in front of the Sharks in the Pacific Division. San Jose beat Chicago in overtime earlier Monday.
Erik Johnson scored for the Avalanche and Semyon Varlamov made 26 saves.
The Avalanche are fourth in the Central Division but hold the top wild card in the Western Conference, just in front of St. Louis.
Tuch was in the right spot on Vegas' first power play to punch home a loose puck and give the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead.
Colorado tied it when Johnson was there to fire in a rebound.
Vegas went back up 2-1 when Marchessault beat Varlamov with a slick wrist shot. Vegas has scored with a man advantage in 20 of its last 31 games.
🚨: <a href="https://twitter.com/JMarchessault18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JMarchessault18</a> <br>🍏: <a href="https://twitter.com/stheodore17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stheodore17</a> <br>🍏: <a href="https://twitter.com/WKarlsson71?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WKarlsson71</a> <br> <br>2-1 Golden Knights <a href="https://t.co/lCVRRurwMH">pic.twitter.com/lCVRRurwMH</a>
—@GoldenKnightsThe Golden Knights wasted no time in extending their lead in the third period, when Erik Haula fed a streaking Theodore, who put one past Varlamov at the 1:31 mark.
Karlsson closed out the scoring with an empty-net goal, his 40th of the season.
Colorado is 11-7-3 against the Pacific Division and dropped to 7-3-3 in March. The Avalanche are still riding a 9-3-3 streak but had a three-game road winning streak snapped.
Comments
To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.
By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.