The Vegas Golden Knights fired head coach Gerard Gallant on Wednesday and replaced him with former San Jose Sharks bench boss Peter DeBoer, the team announced.

Gallant led Vegas to a surprising berth in the Stanley Cup Final during the franchise's inaugural campaign in 2017-18 and then lost to the Sharks in Game 7 of the first round last season.

With 54 points through 49 games of 2019-20, the Golden Knights don't currently hold a playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, they trail the Arizona Coyotes by just three points for the lead in the crowded Pacific Division.

In a strange twist, Gallant had been set to coach the Pacific Division squad at the NHL All-Star Game later in January. There's been no announcement on whether his firing will impact that role.

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