The Vegas Golden Knights entered Saturday night’s contest against the San Jose Sharks only needing one point to clinch the Pacific Division title.
But why bother going for one point when you can pick up two?
The Golden Knights, led by goal-scorers Shea Theodore, Oscar Lindberg and William Karlsson, defeated their Pacific Division rival 3-2 Saturday night, officially securing Vegas’ spot atop the division standings.
With 107 points on the season, the Golden Knights are not only headed to the postseason, but they’re going in with a fancy “y” next to their name in the standings. Not too shabby for a team that didn’t exist less than a year ago!
Marc-Andre Fleury was phenomenal as usual in the crease, stopping 29 of the Sharks’ 31 shots on net in his 735th career game (passing Dominik Hasek for 22nd on the list of games played by a goalie).
As great as Fleury was in the cage, though, it was Karlsson who made a play that will undoubtedly stand the test of time as one of the most iconic moments in Golden Knights history.
Tied at two goals apiece with the final period’s midway point approaching, Karlsson scored a mind-blowing between-the-legs shorthanded goal (his second in as many games) to give Vegas the 3-2 lead, which ended up being the game-winner.
Goal of the year? Goal of the year.
But perhaps even more memorable than Karlsson’s goal, as hard as that is to believe, is what the Golden Knights did before the game even began.
Just prior to puck drop, the Golden Knights unveiled a banner commemorating the 58 individuals who lost their lives in the tragedy that took place on Oct. 1 at the Route 91 Harvest music festival. Along with the banner, the Golden Knights announced that the number 58 has officially been retired in honor of the victims.
From start to finish, it was an emotion-filled night in T-Mobile Arena as the Golden Knights wrapped up their home season finale.
So what’s next for the Knights? Well, they still have three regular season games to play before they can officially set their sights on the postseason. Their final road trip begins Tuesday night in Vancouver before a brief stay in Edmonton to take on the dreaded Oilers. Vegas will then wrap up the regular season in the Scotiabank Saddledome against the Flames.
It’s hard to believe the Golden Knights only have three regular season games remaining, but this team is just getting started. The ‘yoffs are right around the corner!
As Samuel L. Jackson once said in Jurassic Park — hold onto your butts.