The Golden Knights defeated the Jets in five games to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, extending their improbable first season literally as far as it can go.
This time last year, they didn't even have a roster. And no one expected the Golden Knights to reach the playoffs so suddenly, let alone win three series and come within four wins of the hoisting the Stanley Cup, but the upstart expansion franchise has made a habit of exceeding expectations — and defying logic — every step of the way.
GOLDEN STANDARD
How Vegas became the most successful expansion team in sports history
Winnipeg native Ryan Reaves scored the eventual game-winning goal midway through the second period Sunday to propel Vegas in the best-of-seven series, knocking off a Jets team that finished with the second-best record in the NHL during the regular season. Marc-Andre Fleury made 31 saves, including eight shots in the final period to clinch the Golden Knights' victory. The Conn Smythe Trophy front-runner has a .947 save percentage in the playoffs.
After Vegas' win, hardly anybody was able to contain their emotions as they took to social media to congratulate the expansion team, which opened its season 227 games ago.
First, the Golden Knights had to take a photo with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl.
WESTERN
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 20, 2018
CONFERENCE
CHAMPS pic.twitter.com/iHfHwqpwcv
Hey Vegas
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 20, 2018
VEGAS!!!
You ready for the Stanley Cup Final??? pic.twitter.com/EorXOYNIaY
Thank you to the @GoldenKnights for an unforgettable Western Conference Final... we wish you the best of luck in the #StanleyCup Final. #VGKvsWPG pic.twitter.com/TxuYGd7xw1
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 20, 2018
Congratulations to the @GoldenKnights on winning the Western Conference and advancing to the Stanley Cup final.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) May 20, 2018
Here we go @GoldenKnights ! Congrats on the series. On to the next one. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/6n4aIymGYj
— Hilary Knight (@HilaryKnight) May 20, 2018
The Vegas Golden Knights are headed to the Stanley Cup final in their first year of existence, Ryan Reaves with the series-clinching goal to cap the WCF; and no, I'm not on crack. Unreal !
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 20, 2018
The Golden Misfits are going to the Stanley Cup final. We’ll never see something like this again in our lifetime.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 20, 2018
M-A-M-M-A M-I-A!!! I LOVE SPORTS! CONGRATULATIONS @GoldenKnights KNOCKING ON DESTINY’S DOOR! #StanleyCup #HISTORY
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) May 20, 2018
Congratulations to the @GoldenKnights on the Western Conference title! Good luck in the next round on your quest for the #StanleyCup ! #4morewins #VegasBorn #GoKnightsGo pic.twitter.com/1VcQ83Zbzu
— UNLV Athletics (@UNLVathletics) May 20, 2018
Congratulations to the Vegas Golden Knights. Unbelievable.
— Joe Theismann (@Theismann7) May 20, 2018
Congratulations, @GoldenKnights ! We’re going to the #StanleyCup Finals! https://t.co/tCma3IeRbv
— MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) May 20, 2018
From nothing to something to everything. What a team. What a story. Congratulations to the @GoldenKnights and all my friends in Las Vegas. It's been fun watching this all unfold from afar. Good luck in the final.
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) May 20, 2018
Congratulations @GoldenKnights !! I've been there from day 1 and today was the best!! @barstoolsports @BarstoolBigCat @NHL @BarRescue #stanleycup #nhlhockey #vegasborn pic.twitter.com/I5XuXDOuZa
— Jon Taffer (@jontaffer) May 20, 2018
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS IRON SHEIK CLASS
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) May 20, 2018
Crazy story. @GoldenKnights to the Finals. Greatest achievement ever for a professional team from Vegas!. (Unless you count the 1990 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels :)
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) May 20, 2018
Ladies and Gentlemen put your hands together for your 2018 Western Conference Champions...The Las Vegas Golden Knights.
— Mike Commodore (@commie22) May 20, 2018
I have all of the goosebumps! Congrats @GoldenKnights on heading onto the #StanleyCupFinals!!! Seeing how this team has taken over a city and received so much love and support. Continue making history boys!
— Renee Young (@ReneeYoungWWE) May 20, 2018
The @GoldenKnights will play for the Stanley Cup!!! #StanleyCup
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) May 20, 2018
Totally crazy! Congrats! Beat the east!!!!
— Coach (@CMPunk) May 20, 2018
At airport, listening to game on phone... Just goosebumps!!! Hair on arms standing up!!! Just wow! Congrats to #VegasBorn and their fans! #4togo @NHLNetwork @GoldenKnights
— Mike Rupp (@Rupper17) May 20, 2018
The city of Las Vegas deserves this! The @GoldenKnights are headed to the Stanley Cup Finals!!! #VegasStrong https://t.co/AfTlu5s3Dx
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) May 20, 2018