If you had asked the Vegas Golden Knights to turn in a script for their ideal first season, even they would feel a little sheepish about putting together a story quite like the fairytale they are currently living.
Three-quarters of the way through the NHL season and the Golden Knights are now listed as the Stanley Cup favorites (5-1) at the Westgate Superbook in Vegas.
Even with their 2-0 loss to the Ducks on Monday night, Vegas remains atop the NHL standings with 82 points, one ahead of Tampa Bay and two ahead of the Boston Bruins.
Just how far has Vegas come on this journey? Well, the Knights opened the season at 200-1 around Vegas and reached as high as 500-1 before the puck dropped at T-Mobile Arena. At 200-1, the bookmakers implied that the Knights had a 0.5% chance of winning the Stanley Cup. Today, they are giving Gerard Gallant's side a 16.67% chance, a 233.4% change, of hosting a parade down the strip in June.
Back in January, we spoke to Bob Scucci, the Director of Sport and Gaming for Boyd Gaming, about the unique spot the Knights have put bookmakers in this season.
Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA Today