Nic Dowd makes Stanley Cup Final for first time in career as member of Vegas Golden Knights: 'I've never been a part of something like this'

Nic Dowd, once devastated by an NHL trade deadline deal from the Washington Capitals, has reached a childhood dream with the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas completed a shocking sweep of the Colorado Avalanche, the Presidents’ Trophy winner, to advance to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. Dowd played a key role in Game 4 by assisting on Cole Smith’s series-winning goal at 4:45 of the second period. After tenacious work along the boards, Dowd sent the puck to Dylan Coghlan at the point, leading to a quick shot that Smith redirected past Mackenzie Blackwood. Coach John Tortorella credited the team’s elite checking. Gabriel Landeskog later ended Carter Hart’s shutout with a tip, but Colorado could not tie the game.

"After some tenacious work along the sideboards, Dowd sent the puck out to Golden Knights defenseman Dylan Coghlan, who fired a quick shot on net from the point. Smith, set up just outside the crease, then got the blade of his stick on the puck, causing it to redirect through Mackenzie Blackwood 's five-hole. Dowd had an Ovechkian celebration, jumping up and down as he approached the goal hug at the other side of the ice. The goal put the Golden Knights up 2-0."

""We checked our ass off," Golden Knights' head coach John Tortorella said. "That's what stands out to me. And that's how you win in this league is by checking... By far our best game. It's something we have been concentrating on, and I think we've gotten better and better through the rounds. But tonight's game was our best checking effort. And that's a hell of a hockey team.""

"Tuesday, the Golden Knights completed a shocking sweep of the Colorado Avalanche, the NHL's Presidents' Trophy-winner, and advanced to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. Dowd played a big role in the decisive Game 4, assisting on the series-winning goal scored by Cole Smith with 4:45 remaining in the second period."

"With 2:03 remaining in the third period, Gabriel Landeskog ended Carter Hart's shutout bid, tipping a Martin Necas shot home. But the Avalanche couldn't tie, giving the Golden Knights their third Western Conference championship since first entering the league in 2017-18."

Read at RMNB