Flyers’ Piece Of NHL History Might Be Taken By Vegas

The Flyers own a cool piece of NHL history that might be wiped out by the upstart Vegas Golden Knights.

It took the Flyers only seven years to go from an expansion team to winning the Stanley Cup. Seven years is the shortest amount of time a start-from-scratch expansion team has won the Cup. The Flyers were the first expansion team to win the Cup.

If Vegas wins the Cup this year — and it holds a 3-1 series lead over Florida — the feat will be accomplished in only six years.

Vegas already holds the NHL record by becoming the first team to reach the Cup finals in its inaugural season, 2017-18. On average, it has taken an expansion team 12 years to reach the Cup finals.

Edmonton joined the NHL in 1979 as part of the World Hockey Association expansion and won the Cup in 1983. But the Oilers arrived to the NHL with a fully intact team, not an expansion one.

Vegas held off the Panthers, 3-2, Saturday night in Game 4 at Florida. Florida trailed 3-0 when a double-doink deflection went off two Golden Knights defenders and into the net. The Panthers charged and threw rubber at the net in the third period but could not score the tying goal.

Game 5 is Tuesday in Las Vegas, a town that knows how to party.

Here is our National Hockey Network’s coverage of Game 4:

Vegas Hockey Now: The final 17 seconds felt like 17 minutes. Tale of two games: Vegas dominated, then hung on. Game ends with a brawl.

Florida Hockey Now: Down 3-1, Panthers say series isn’t over.

Flyers, In Case You Missed It:

What could Carter Hart bring the Flyers in a trade?

Who will the Flyers pick at 22? The latest mock drafts give their opinion.

Around The National Hockey Network:

Boston Hockey Now: Bruins don’t have enough to trade for Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois: source.

Buffalo Hockey Now: Sabres covering all bases at the Draft Combine.

Chicago Hockey Now: Assessing the Blackhawks’ top five prospects.

Colorado Hockey Now: Avalanche should consider trading rights to free agent forward J.T. Compher.

Detroit Hockey Now: Offers pour in to  store Dominik Hasek’s memorabilia.

Montreal Hockey Now: Canadiens could make a move in a rich goalie market.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Simon Nemec could fill Damon Severson’s position on Devils’ defense.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins prospects expected to participate in Prospects Challenge in Buffalo.

San Jose Hockey Now: Source suggests Sharks looking at Will Smith with fourth overall pick.