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5h ago

Golden Knights Clinch Pacific With 4-1 Win, Draw Mammoth in First Round

A 7-0-1 finish under John Tortorella, boosted by Carter Hart’s unbeaten return, reshapes Vegas’ playoff outlook.

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Apr 15, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) was named First Star of the Game after the Golden Knights defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-1 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
4/16/26
Apr 15, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19) celebrates his goal scored in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images

Overview

  • Vegas beat Seattle 4-1 on Wednesday to secure the Pacific Division title and a first-round series against the Utah Mammoth, who are entering their first postseason.
  • The win closed the regular season at 39-26-17 for 95 points and granted home-ice advantage through at least the first two playoff rounds.
  • Since replacing Bruce Cassidy on March 29, John Tortorella guided the Golden Knights to a 7-0-1 surge to end the schedule.
  • Carter Hart stopped 22 shots and is 6-0 since returning from a lower-body injury, giving Vegas stable goaltending heading into the playoffs.
  • Mitch Marner tipped in the third-period tiebreaker and Reilly Smith added two late goals as Vegas claimed a fifth division crown in nine seasons in what analysts called a down year for the Pacific.