Knights remain unfazed after sweeping Kings

The Golden Knights had modest goals in their first season.

Put a credible team on the ice while attracting fans unused to a major pro league in Vegas, where gambling and big-name entertainers have ruled the desert city.

Nobody said anything about the playoffs, let alone making noise in the postseason.

“It’s unreal,” coach Gerard Gallant said after the Knights beat the Kings 1-0 on Tuesday and became the first NHL expansion team to sweep its first playoff series. “It all started when we went 8-2 in our first 10 games.”

Now, they’re playing with house money.

“We’re sky-high right now,” said Brayden McNabb, whose second-period goal proved the series-winner against his former team.

Next up is either the Ducks or Sharks. The Sharks went for a sweep of their own late Wednesday with a 3-0 series lead.

“It doesn’t matter who we play,” Gallant said. “We’ll have some time to get ready for them.”

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will get some muchneeded rest after backstopping two shutouts in the series. He stopped 31 shots as the Knights finished off their fourth one-goal victory against the Kings.

“We’re still a few wins away from this being a great story,” Fleury said.

The Knights are the second team to win their first four playoff games, joining the 1970 Penguins.

“We came in with a chip on our shoulder,” forward Jonathan Marchessault said. “When we play the right way, I think we can go far, but we cannot look too far right now.”

Fleury survived a tense third period at Staples Center.

With their fans shouting encouragement, the Kings put the pressure on. Having pulled goalie Jonathan Quick for an extra attacker late, Dustin Brown’s shot in the high slot was stopped by Fleury’s glove.

Brown also hit the left post with 10 minutes to go in the third, typical of the close calls that Fleury turned away with seeming ease. He stopped 127 of 130 shots in the series. AP