The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 Tuesday night in Las Vegas to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in five games.
Vegas captain Mark Stone scored a goal in each period to lead the Golden Knights, who joined the NHL before the 2017-2018 season. The team is currently in its sixth NHL season.
Stone was also the first player since 1922 to score a hat-trick in a final Stanley Cup game victory.
“Unbelievable,” the 31-year-old said. “I just looked at my teammates’ eyes … One of the craziest feelings I’ve ever had. Just to know that I did it with my 25, 30 best friends makes it that much more special.”
As with tradition, each teammate took a turn to hoist the trophy.
The Golden Knights also became the seventh team in NHL history to score five or more goals in three or more games of the same Stanley Cup Final series.
The championship win is the second major title in two years for the city of Las Vegas. In 2022, the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces won the league crown with a 3-1 series win over the Connecticut Sun.
Vegas led 2-0 at the first intermission, then the rout commenced in the second period as the newly crowned champs scored four times and took a 6-1 lead into the final 20 minutes.
Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill allowed two goals but saved many from the Panthers.
Jonathan Marchessault won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the best player in the postseason and he did not forget to share the glory with his other teammates.
“You know, one night it’s one guy, one night it’s another guy,” he told TNT. “That’s the mentality we had this year. We’re a bunch of good teammates in that locker room. … Everybody stepped up at different times.”
With the new title, the Golden Knights are now the second-fastest franchise in the league’s modern era – since 1943-44.
U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) celebrated the Las Vegas Golden Knights on the Stanley Cup feat.
“Congratulations to the Golden Knights on this historic win! Tonight, this great team has made Las Vegas and our entire state of Nevada proud by bringing home our first Stanley Cup,” he said. “Once again, the Golden Knights are helping Las Vegas become a world-renowned sports hub, and I can’t wait to celebrate with them.”
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