There has been some debate as to whether the Golden Knights became the first NHL expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural season.
The Knights clinched a Stanley Cup playoff berth Monday and lead the Pacific Division with 48 wins and 103 points.
However, the 1967-68 St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota North Stars and Los Angeles Kings — along with the 1979-80 Edmonton Oilers and Hartford Whalers — all made the postseason in their first year in the NHL.
“There’s no official record,” said Gary Meagher, the NHL’s vice president of communications. “The 1968 teams were guaranteed their spot and the expansion with the WHA teams wasn’t a true expansion.