No team in the past 25 years has dominated the first two games of a Stanley Cup Final like the Vegas Golden Knights.
With a commanding 7-2 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 2, the Golden Knights are now just two wins away from securing their first championship in the franchise’s brief six-year history.
The Panthers face an uphill battle as the series shifts to Florida for Game 3 on Thursday. Teams that have taken a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final have a 31-3 series record in the expansion era. The Panthers, however, have shown resilience before, returning from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the heavily favored Boston Bruins in the opening round of the playoffs.
To mount a comeback, Florida must significantly elevate their play against a Vegas team that won by three goals in Game 1 and five in Game 2. The last team to win the first two games of a Cup Final by more than eight combined goals was the 1996 Colorado Avalanche, who outscored the Panthers by nine.
“Our depth has been a strength all year,” said Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy. “It’s the biggest reason we are still here, why we beat Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Dallas. I feel that we have the best team from player one through 20.”
Jonathan Marchessault led the charge with two goals, starting an early onslaught that forced Florida to pull Sergei Bobrovsky, the NHL’s hottest postseason goalie. Marchessault, who also had an assist, now holds the Golden Knights’ record for postseason goals with 12, all scored after the first round.
“They wanted to set the tone with an undisciplined play like Game 1, and we set the tone back,” Marchessault said. “Scoring that first goal was key. But we’re still pretty far from our goal here.”
Brett Howden scored twice for Vegas, while Alec Martinez, Nicolas Roy, and Michael Amadio added goals. Six players recorded at least two points for the Golden Knights. All 18 skaters were on the ice for even-strength goals, and their nine different goal scorers through the first two games set a Stanley Cup Final record. The seven goals tied a franchise mark for a playoff game.
Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, was pulled 7:10 into the second period after allowing four goals. It was the fifth time in 12 games that Vegas has forced the opposing goalie out. Bobrovsky, who had been stellar in the Eastern Conference playoffs, has struggled against Vegas, allowing eight goals in 87 minutes for a 5.52 goals-against average and .826 save percentage in the series.
“We can be better in front of our goaltender,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “I got him out to keep him rested.”
Matthew Tkachuk and Anton Lundell scored for Florida. Adin Hill continued his stellar play in net with 29 saves for Vegas, including a crucial breakaway stop on Carter Verhaeghe in the first period. Hill also displayed his toughness, hitting Tkachuk with his blocker and slashing him with his stick after Tkachuk ended up in his net.
“He’s been unreal for us,” said Vegas forward William Carrier. “He’s been unbelievable.”
Hill’s performance earned him the loudest cheers from Knights fans, reminiscent of Marc-Andre Fleury’s time with the team.
“It’s probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey,” Hill said. “I’m just enjoying it, cherishing every day. It’s been awesome to be part of the journey with this team.”
The Knights set the tone early, taking a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Marchessault and Martinez. It was Vegas’ third consecutive game with a power-play goal, marking their first such streak since Christmas week.
Florida lost their toughest defenseman, Radko Gudas, to injury early in the game after a hit by Vegas forward Ivan Barbashev. Gudas left 6:39 into the game and did not return.
Barbashev, the Golden Knights’ biggest trade-deadline acquisition, also delivered several big hits, showcasing his physicality.
Vegas was scared when Jack Eichel took a hard hit from Tkachuk late in the second period. Eichel returned in the third and assisted on Marchessault’s second goal, his second game assist.
“We did a good job managing momentum tonight,” Eichel said. “And we got some timely goals.”