Vegas sweep favored Colorado to make third Stanley Cup Final in nine seasons

• Golden Knights will face Hurricanes or Canadiens

• Avalanche had blown through early rounds of playoffs

Mark Stone and Cole Smith scored for Vegas and the Golden Knights suffocated Colorado’s high-powered offense to beat the Avalanche 2-1 on Tuesday night for a surprise sweep to make their third Stanley Cup Final in nine seasons.

The Golden Knights will get a break while they watch to see whether Carolina or Montreal emerges from the Eastern Conference Final. Carolina lead that series 2-1.