SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Martin Rogers travels to Las Vegas to see just how much the Golden Knights' improbable Stanley Cup run really means to the Vegas faithful. USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON — The 1969 New York Mets would not have been the Miracle Mets if they didn’t beat the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. Ed Pinckney’s 1985 Villanova team wouldn’t be as revered today if Patrick Ewing’s Georgetown squad had whipped the Wildcats in the NCAA tournament championship game.
Memories of magical seasons aren’t as endearing if they don’t result in a championship.