NHL: Golden Las Vegas run continues to Stanley Cup finals

The Vegas Golden Knights continue to make history in their inaugural season, advancing to the Stanley Cup finals in the NHL playoffs on Monday morning (NZ time).

The expansion franchise defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 to win the Western Conference final in five games and earn an improbable berth in the battle for one of the oldest trophies in sport.

Vegas have set several NHL records for an expansion team with 109 points and 51 wins, and were the first expansion team in any of the four major pro sports to win their division in their inaugural season.

The Golden Knights become the first expansion franchise to reach the Stanley Cup final in their debut season since the 1967-68 St Louis Blues.

"This is incredible," defenceman Nate Schmidt said afterward.  

"With this group of guys, we come to the rink, everyone's so happy to see each other. They trust they'll do what it takes to win games."

The team have been spurred on by the tragic Vegas shootings in October, when 58 people were killed. Out of respect, the Golden Knights retired the number 58.

Vegas are now 12-3 in the post-season, going 6-1 at home and 6-2 on the road.

They will face Tampa Bay Lightning or Washington Capitals in the finals.

If the Lightning advance from the East, they will hold home-ice advantage in the finals, but a Capitals appearance would give the Golden Knights home ice.

Newshub.