The Vegas Golden Knights did what many thought couldn't be done; played a regular season hockey game in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights hosted the Arizona Coyotes in the new rivalry in the desert.
It was an emotional night before the first official puck drop in a city eight days removed from a mass shooting that killed 58 people, including four Canadians, at a concert not far from the T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights.
How we chose to honor the heroes that make Las Vegas everything it is. Our home. #VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/E1YSyYxfyl
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 11, 2017
In a pre-game tribute, the club honoured some of the first responders who risked their lives to help others. There was also a 58 second moment of silence to honour the 58 people who lost their lives. Their names were projected onto the ice as part of the ceremony.
58 seconds of silence for the 58 who lost their lives in the Las Vegas tragedy. pic.twitter.com/r4X5Qmi1o9
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) October 11, 2017
Players of the @GoldenKnights accompany first responders from the Las Vegas shooting in tonight’s pregame ceremony. #VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/TGYLN5Qneu
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) October 11, 2017
The team also made a move to have no advertisements on the boards for the game and instead filled them with the Vegas Strong slogan.
There won't be any advertisements on the boards tonight. Instead, our boards will reflect who we are. #VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/29pL7wmMwJ
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 10, 2017
As for the game itself, it was a history maker.
The Golden Knights cruised to a 5-2 win over Arizona, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead with four goals in 8:11, the fastest such mark by an expansion team in their first home game since 1967-68.
Vegas also made history by becoming the first expansion team in NHL history to start their season 3-0.