Story perspectives

Golden Knights Sweep Colorado 4-0, Advance to Cup Final

5/28/2026

Summary

Golden Knights Sweep

The Vegas Golden Knights swept Colorado 4-0 on May 27 2026 to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
John Tortorella, hired March 29 after Bruce Cassidy’s dismissal, led the Knights to a 7-0-1 finish in eight games.
Mark Stone and Cole Smith scored with Brayden McNabb assisting while Carter Hart stopped 20 shots, leaving Colorado’s top scorers held scoreless.
The Knights will face the Eastern Conference champion—Carolina Hurricanes or Montreal Canadiens—in the final.

Summary

Tortorella Fires

Mark Stone and Jack Eichel praised the arena atmosphere, with Stone saying the team’s goal is the Stanley Cup and Eichel calling it ‘incredible’.
Coach Jon Tortorella thanked owners Bill Foley, George McPhee and Kelly McCrimmon and praised the scouting staff for three Finals appearances in 2018, 2023 and 2026.
Tortorella said firing Bruce Cassidy was necessary after the team fell from first to third place, threatening playoff hopes.

History

Historical Context

After the St. Louis Blues dismissed Mike Yeo on Nov 19 2018 with a 7-9-3 record, interim coach Craig Berube sparked a 30-10-5 run, an 11-game winning streak and a 99-point finish, culminating in the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2019—ending the last 1967 expansion team drought. Similar mid-season swaps, like the Chicago Blackhawks firing Joel Quenneville in November 2018, show the impact of coaching changes.

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Golden Knights Sweep

The Vegas Golden Knights swept Colorado 4-0 on May 27 2026 to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
John Tortorella, hired March 29 after Bruce Cassidy’s dismissal, led the Knights to a 7-0-1 finish in eight games.
Mark Stone and Cole Smith scored with Brayden McNabb assisting while Carter Hart stopped 20 shots, leaving Colorado’s top scorers held scoreless.
The Knights will face the Eastern Conference champion—Carolina Hurricanes or Montreal Canadiens—in the final.

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