ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Vegas Golden Knights are going to the Western Conference Final for the fifth time in nine years after defeating the Anaheim Ducks 5-1 in Game 6 of the second round at Honda Center on Thursday.

The Knights will face the Colorado Avalanche. Game 1 at Ball Arena in Denver will take place on Wednesday.

Mitch Marner scored a highlight-reel goal 1:02 into the game, and added an assist on winger Brett Howden’s third shorthanded goal of the playoffs.

Shea Theodore scored a power-play goal for the Knights, who took a 3-0 lead after the first period.

Goaltender Carter Hart finished with 31 saves, and Pavel Dorofeyev registered his second straight two-goal game.

The Knights had to play without captain Mark Stone (lower body), defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (upper body) and defenseman Brayden McNabb (suspension).

The Knights are back in the conference final for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 2023.…