Both the Winnipeg Jets and expansion Vegas Golden Knights are in the Western Conference Final for the first time. The two teams drop the puck for Game 1 of the series Saturday at Bell MTS Place.
The Jets, the No. 2 seed from the Central Division, made the NHL’s final four by dispatching Minnesota in five games and knocking out the Presidents’ Trophy winners Nashville in seven games. Vegas, the Pacific Division champion, swept Los Angeles and took down San Jose in six games.
Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been the Golden Knights’ best player in the playoffs. Fleury, who won Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in 2016 and ‘17 before being selected in the expansion draft, leads the playoffs in goals-against average (1.53), save percentage (.951) and shutout (four).
Winnipeg is led by Mark Scheifele, who leads all skaters with 11 goals and his 16 points are the most among active players in the playoffs. The 25-year-old scored seven goals against the Predators in Nashville, setting a playoff record for most road goals in a series.
The Golden Knights won the season series 2-1 against the Jets.
How to watch Saturday’s game:
Stanley Cup playoffs schedule
| Matchup | Series | Time | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 5: Washington at Vegas | WSH 3-1 | 7 p.m. | NBC |
SB Nation sites to follow on Twitter:
Vegas (@knightsonice) at Winnipeg (@arcticicehockey)