Vegas Golden Knights: Past triumphs can give us hope for the future

Two years ago today the Vegas Golden Knights shocked the hockey world again by becoming the first expansion team since 1967-68 to clinch a playoff spot in their inaugural season.

Of course, that was only the beginning as the Vegas Golden Knights embarked on a stunning run to the Stanley Cup Final, with their magical story eventually being brought to an end by the Washington Capitals in five games.

Despite suffering heartbreak, and NBC will be airing Game 5 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final again today, it was still an incredible year for the Golden Knights.

One that may never be repeated again.

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And it is important we draw hope from the many moments of brilliance and sheer ecstasy we were treated to throughout 2017-18.

Especially on days like today.

With the world in lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis and life as we know it impacted in so many different and terrifying ways, it is easy to lose hope.

I must admit, I normally don’t get bothered by too many things and I am known for taking everything in my stride.

However, today my thoughts have been with my friends in New York as The Big Apple continues to try its best to contain a health crisis that we have never encountered before.

The situation is also serious in Vegas and in Nevada and our thoughts are with everyone affected, and with those who put their own health at risk in order to help thousands during this scary time of uncertainty in our world.

I’ve also been consumed with worry about some of my older relatives that are at serious risk due to already having underlying health issues, and keeping in touch just through the phone doesn’t feel like its enough, although it is clearly for the best right now.

My normal escape when things aren’t great is sports and today is a day I have always looked forward to for years.

Today was supposed to be Opening Day in the MLB, a special day that holds so much significance and rekindles fond memories for so many.

Of course, Opening Day this year has a twist in that we must make do with memorable games from baseball’s rich and storied history.

And so, feeling a bit downtrodden with no sports to help me switch off from the worries of the health crisis that is currently enveloping the world, I stumbled across a tweet that reminded me of more happier times.

As already mentioned, two years ago today the Golden Knights hammered the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 to stamp their playoff ticket, becoming the first expansion team to do so since the 60’s.

They had achieved history already by that point but, as we all know, more was to be made as they stunned the sports world by reaching the Stanley Cup Final.

There are a plethora of standout moments from that inaugural season that just makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and AT&T SportsNet will be airing the Golden Knights’ first-ever regular season game in franchise history tonight.

But it is the first home regular season game in franchise history that will be perfect to watch right now because that night on Oct. 10, was all about healing and hope.

In the wake of the tragic Vegas shootings on Oct. 1, the Golden Knights paid tribute to first responders before Deryk Engelland gave an emotional speech that served as the inspiration for what would unfold that year.

Vegas won that game, beating the Arizona Coyotes 5-2, before going 8-3-0 in October on their way to smashing record after record after record.

So, on days like today where many of us are probably filled with dread and uncertainty, it is important to keep a sense of hope.

Because, just as the Golden Knights helped a city heal in 2017, they can help to heal us now as we all continue to adjust to a new normal.

Yes, things are tough right now and sports take a backseat during scary and uncertain times.

But hockey and sports in general can be a great healer in itself and we must cling to the moments that gave us so much joy in the past in order to navigate the tricky present and then look forward to the future.

Because we will get through this.

Together.

And hockey will be back. We as fans will be back and the sport we all love so much will be back to play a pivotal role in the healing process from this current pandemic.

In the meantime, staying connected to what makes us most happy by revisiting the moments that made us all fall in love with the Vegas Golden Knights should act as a ray of hope as we continue to all fight for the day when sports, and life, return to normal.

That is all we can do right now.