The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, extending their remarkable playoff streak to eight wins in nine series openers. Carter Hart delivered with 36 saves, while Dylan Coghlan and Pavel Dorofeyev scored second-period goals that gave Vegas the lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Colorado dominated possession with a 56.7% shot share in 5-on-5 play but couldn't overcome Hart's performance. The Avalanche mounted a late comeback with Val Nichushkin and Gabriel Landeskog scoring to cut the deficit to 3-2 before Nic Dowd sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.

"Our players aren't phased," Golden Knights coach John Tortorella said. "We're trying to play our game, and I think they feel very comfortable in it." Vegas now holds home-ice advantage as the series shifts to Las Vegas for Game 2.