Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche saw the Golden Knights complete the sweep. It was an impressive 2-1 win, stamped by a 20-save performance by Carter Hart. Vegas will be moving on to the Stanley Cup Finals, awaiting the winner between Montreal and Carolina.
Golden Knights Complete The Sweep With Virtually Perfect Game
First Period Saw Stifling Vegas Defence and an Early Goal
Manny Flores/Cal Sport Media
Vegas came out flying as Brayden McNabb made an alley-oop pass to send Mark Stone on a breakaway, opening the scoring in Game 4 at 4:42. After that, Vegas kept playing to their identity, which is an aggressive style of play that clogs up the neutral zone, stopping rush chances from happening. Against an Avalanche team that thrives on Nathan MacKinnon‘s rushes, that game plan was very effective.
MARK STONE OPENS THE SCORING IN GAME 4 ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/YUEBsZ7RtZ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 27, 2026
Blackwood Kept the Avs in the Fight in the Second
Vegas outshot Colorado 11-6 in the second, with prime scoring chances, but Mackenzie Blackwood made a plethora of saves to keep the game close. The Golden Knights continued to clog the neutral zone, allowing no odd-man rushes. Colorado could not catch a break from the referees either, as Martin Necas was injured from a collision with Tomas Hertl in the second half of the period. Necas would return later in the period, but with Colorado already severely hampered by injuries, it certainly did not help their push to save the season, which was already on life support.
MACKENZIE BLACKWOOD, WHAT A SAVE 🤩 pic.twitter.com/xKXBCgFW5J
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 27, 2026
Golden Knights Shut it Down in the Third, Clarence S. Campbell Bowl Is Theirs
Vegas kept shutting things down, and then Cole Smith was able to score the insurance marker at 14:15. It was like watching Colorado’s slow and painful death as everything they could do proved futile. Gabriel Landeskog would get one back with 2:03 remaining, with the extra attacker on the ice. It was just not enough, as Vegas would not allow another goal. The sweep was complete. The villains of the West are going on to the Stanley Cup Finals. A team from the “pillow-fight” Pacific Division has emerged victorious from the West.
The Clarence S. Campbell Bowl was awarded to Vegas after the game. As per common superstition, Vegas did not end up touching the bowl, only taking a team picture.
The Golden Knights are awarded the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl and elect not to touch it 👀 pic.twitter.com/KJ4QISEtfc
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 27, 2026
Injuries Cost the Avalanche Its Season, Vegas Was Perfect
The Golden Knights played virtually a perfect series. Colorado had no answer for the defensive play of Vegas, especially with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar not at 100%. Vegas played incredibly well in the neutral zone, forcing the Avs to dump it in more often than not. Moreover, Carter Hart was stellar, allowing just seven goals in the entire series. If the team continues to play like this, they could win the Stanley Cup. Heck, they may even be the favourites in the final, no matter which team they face.
John Tortorella has led another team to a sweep of a Presidents’ Trophy team. He did so when the Columbus Blue Jackets swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019. Since Tortorella was hired as head coach, the Golden Knights have had a 19-4-1 record. The question is, how much credit should Tortorella get for the success of the team so far? If Vegas goes on to win the cup, that would certainly be an interesting story.
Looking Ahead
Vegas will move on to the Stanley Cup Finals, awaiting the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes. The Knights will get an extended break as they wait for their opponent to be decided. They would wish that Montreal and Carolina go the distance in their series, to maximize their rest.
Main Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
