Reaves on Golden Knights' success: 'There are no big egos'

If there is one reason behind the Vegas Golden Knights' accomplishments in their inaugural season, forward Ryan Reaves believes he has the answer.

"The team is not made up of superstars and there are no big egos that you have to deal with," Reaves told Tim Campbell of NHL.com. "It's just a bunch of guys that proved something last year and I think now want to prove they can win a Stanley Cup. We proved everyone wrong last season, but nobody remembers who was second. It's about who won the Cup."

The Golden Knights rewrote the NHL record book last year, not only by advancing to the Stanley Cup Final, but also by setting several expansion team highs, including 51 wins and 109 points.

For the coming campaign, Reaves believes the Golden Knights have the pieces to take that final step this season.

"I think the expectation in the locker room, for sure, is to do what we did last year and then to finish the job in the Final," Reaves added. "I think we know we have the team in there and with the city behind us and the buzz in the city and the way they support the team, we're ready to make another run."

Acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins late last season, the pugilistic Reaves was a surprising offensive force in the postseason as he potted a pair of goals, including the series-clincher over the Winnipeg Jets in the semifinals. Such a performance made the Golden Knights comfortable in betting on a two-year, $5.55-million extension for Reaves, signed in late June.

Reaves and his teammates will begin their second quest for the Stanley Cup when they open the season against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 4.

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