Golden Knights Sweep Avalanche to Reach Stanley Cup Final

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Tuesday night in Las Vegas to complete a four-game sweep of the Western Conference finals. Cole Smith scored 14:15 into the third period, and the Golden Knights withstood a late push to advance.

Stone scored 16:18 into the first period on a breakaway after receiving a cross-ice pass from Brayden McNabb. The goal gave Vegas a 1-0 lead it never relinquished. The Golden Knights limited the Avalanche to 21 shots and held a 58.62 percent shot share in five-on-five play.

Colorado entered the game without Valeri Nichushkin and with Nathan MacKinnon returning from injury. The Avalanche had led the NHL in regular-season goals. Vegas coach John Tortorella, hired March 30, said after the game that the first three rounds constitute the playoffs and the final round is when teams play for the Stanley Cup.

>"After spending a couple of weeks with the team, you can tell it's a really good group.