The Golden Knights (51-24-7) are the first modern-era expansion team from any of the four major North American pro sports leagues to start from scratch and win its division. Vegas, which is playing Winnipeg in the Western Conference Final, is the third team in NHL history to win multiple playoff series in its inaugural season.
McPhee helped build the Golden Knights largely through the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, less than three months before the opening of training camp. Eleven Golden Knights had NHL career highs in points, including their top five scorers: William Karlsson (78), Jonathan Marchessault (75), David Perron (66), Reilly Smith (60) and Erik Haula (55).
McPhee was a finalist with the Washington Capitals in 2009-10, when he helped assemble the team that won the
Presidents' Trophy
.
The Lightning (54-23-5) set their records for wins (54) and points (113) and won their first division title (Atlantic) since 2004. They are in the Eastern Conference Final for the third time in four seasons.
Yzerman assembled a roster of homegrown players including forwards Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos; defenseman Victor Hedman, a
Norris Trophy
finalist; and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, a Vezina Trophy finalist. Tampa Bay traded for rookie defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, signed free agent forward Chris Kunitz and defenseman Dan Girardi, and acquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh and forward J.T. Miller in a trade with the New York Rangers on Feb. 26.
Yzerman is a finalist for the third time. He won the award in 2014-15 after finishing second in 2010-11, his first season as Lightning GM.
