MAR 2 THE LAS VEGAS KNIGHTS: THE BEST EXPANSION TEAM EVER

MAR 2 THE LAS VEGAS KNIGHTS: THE BEST EXPANSION TEAM EVER

One of the most exciting happenings in professional sports is the EXPANSION TEAM. This occurs when the league decides to enlarge the number of clubs. The event is rare: Since 2000, there have been only seven new teams in the four pro leagues in the USA. Here's how it works: Cities compete against each other, trying to the impress the commissioner. They must show that they have a cosmopolitan city, a rabid fan base and a NEW stadium. Next, the owner comes up with a team name, colors and mascot. It all comes together on Opening Day, when a new franchise is inaugurated into Pro Sports forever.

Sadly, the next chapter in the expansion team's story isn't as exciting: Losing. See, it's hard to suddenly invent a winning club. To build a new team, the league holds an 'expansion draft.' While it sounds impressive...in actuality...it's just choosing between mediocre players donated from the other teams. Next, coaches must create 'instant chemistry' among the squad. The results aren't stellar. Expansion teams since 1960 average a 22% winning percentage. Ugh!

Then along came the Las Vegas Golden Knights! The hockey club in shattering expectations and changing attitudes toward expansion teams in general. Fact: No first-year club has ever finished with a winning record. (The 1961 L.A. Angels came the closest at 49%.) However, with an astounding record of 41-17-5, the Knights are mathematically assured to break this curse. They sit atop the difficult Pacific Division and boast the best Goal Differential in the Western Division.

How did the Golden Knights get so good so quickly? First, they hired a brilliant General Manager. George McPhee zeroed in on talented, but unheralded players. William Karlsson was average in Columbus last year, but has netted a team-best 34 goals this season. Tiny Jonathan Marchessault is only 5'9", so other clubs passed on him. But he's notched a whopping 63 points so far! Next, there's the "Home Field Advantage.' The glittering, modern T-Mobile Arena has sold out all 17,500 seats every home game. Finally, there's something called 'Beginner's Luck!'

All in all, the Vegas Knights are the 'feel-good' sports story of the year. However, it didn't start wonderfully. Opening Day was on October 10th, a mere nine days after the mass shooting on the Strip. It's hard to be happy when 58 folks were recently slaughtered a couple blocks away. So, before the puck dropped, fans honored the fallen and First Responders with a somber 20-minute ceremony. They went on to beat Arizona 5-2. For a city whose economy in based on entertainment, the Vegas Knights are a clear reminder of the good side of humanity. We here at the DUNER BLOG predict they will take home the Stanley Cup in a couple of months!