Gerard Gallant Named Finalist For NHL's Prestigious Coach's Award

LAS VEGAS, NV - On the eve of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Vegas Golden Knights got a bit of news, albeit expected news. Head coach Gerard Gallant has been named one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award, the National Hockey League's coach of the year award.

Gallant led the Golden Knights to the Pacific Division title in the Western Conference in a season that set the standard for professional expansion sports teams. The Knights won 51 games and ended the season with 109 points.

Gallant pulled the strings for what FiveThirtyEight, the analytical blog examining the world of sports and politics, called the best expansion team in the history of pro sports, by far. And that was in mid-January, before the Golden Knights set the NHL record for wins by an expansion team.

Gallant is considered the favorite to win the award, which will be announced officially at the June 20 NHL Awards.

For now, Gallant and the Knights are focused on the San Jose Sharks, who visit Las Vegas Thursday night for Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs. The Las Vegas Strip is sure to be electric. Will you be there?

Image via Lucas Thomas/Las Vegas Patch