LAS VEGAS — The tempting comparison, given the Golden Knights’ unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Final, would be to the team that shocked the NHL in 2018 by playing for the championship as a first-year franchise.But the more apt comparison might be to three years ago when Vegas — in not nearly as much of a surprise — won the Stanley Cup.Carolina or Montreal, who are playing in the Eastern Conference Final, will have a lot to say whether the Golden Knights complete the task and win another Cup.But Vegas is back for the third time in its nine seasons to cement itself as potentially the greatest expansion franchise in North American sports history. The Golden Knights got there by beating Colorado 2-1 on Tuesday night for a stunning sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche.This team, like the one in 2023, has won with depth scoring, bruising defense and a hot goalie.“I think we’ve always built our teams with good depth at the forward position, defensive position and goaltending position,” captain Mark Stone said. “I guess the similarities are that’s just the way we build our teams.”On the 2023 team, 18 players scored goals in the playoffs and 12 had at least 10 points over 22 games. So far through 16 games this postseason, 15 players have scored goals and six have produced 10 or more points.The depth showed itself in the clincher against the Avalanche when both goals came from the third and fourth lines, with Cole Smith scoring the decisive goal with 5:45 left.“The third and fourth lines, the five- and six-D, that’s how you continue to move in the playoffs,” co …
