The Vegas Golden Knights have always embraced the glitz and glamor of their home city, with flashy game presentations and a sword-fighting mascot. So, when they won their first Stanley Cup, they did it in true Vegas style—with a dazzling performance.
The Golden Knights overwhelmed the Florida Panthers with a 9-3 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night, securing the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship in just their sixth season. From Mark Stone’s hat trick to spectacular goals and celebrations, Vegas ensured the night was as unforgettable as the city.
Coach Bruce Cassidy, acknowledging the team’s short history, started five of the original “Misfits”—the players who have been with Vegas since the inaugural 2017-18 season. The Knights wasted no time, breaking open a tight game in the second period to take a commanding 6-1 lead. Their nine goals tied the record for most goals scored in a Stanley Cup Final game.
“Vegas, you certainly know how to throw a party,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said as he addressed the ecstatic crowd 19,058 at T-Mobile Arena. “This arena and what’s going on outside is a testament to what a great hockey market this has become.”
The victory in Game 5 completed the series in five games, sending the crowd into a frenzy from the pregame introductions to the final buzzer. Jonathan Marchessault, who finished the postseason on a 10-game point streak, was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team and organization,” Marchessault said. “Everyone stepped up at different times, and that’s why we’re winners.”
Stone’s hat trick, with his third goal coming on an empty net late in the game, was the first in a Stanley Cup Final since Peter Forsberg’s in 1996—also against the Panthers. Other Knights contributors included Nic Hague, Alec Martinez, Reilly Smith, Michael Amadio, Ivan Barbashev, and Nicolas Roy, who all found the back of the net.
Hill continued to shine in goal with 31 saves, earning chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the crowd. Jack Eichel, playing in his first-ever postseason, added three assists to cap off a remarkable playoff run.
“This is what everyone dreams of,” Eichel said. “To come to an organization with expectations of winning the Cup and then actually achieve it—it’s incredible.”
As captain, Stone was the first to lift the Stanley Cup before passing it to the “Misfits”—the core group of players who helped Vegas reach the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, only to fall short to the Washington Capitals in 2018.
“Unbelievable,” Stone said. “The feeling when I lifted the Cup and looked into my teammates’ eyes—it’s one of the craziest feelings I’ve ever had. I can’t even describe it.”
Florida’s Aaron Ekblad, Sam Reinhart, and Sam Bennett scored for the Panthers, but star forward Matthew Tkachuk was absent from the lineup after playing through injury in Game 4. Sergei Bobrovsky, who had carried Florida to the Final, was overwhelmed by the Knights’ relentless attack, allowing eight goals on 30 shots.
Despite the disappointing finish, Bobrovsky expressed pride in the Panthers’ journey. “It was a privilege to play with these guys and fight with them,” he said. “It’s tough to lose this way, but we did a fantastic job, and I’m proud of what we achieved.”
The Golden Knights have redefined what an expansion team can achieve, making the playoffs in all but one of their six seasons and reaching the Stanley Cup Final twice. This win was the culmination of years of hard work for the original players who watched the Capitals celebrate in 2018.
“We waited a long time to get back here,” Marchessault said. “This time, we made sure to finish the job.”
Vegas has quickly established itself as a major sports hub. The Knights’ victory follows the Las Vegas Aces’ WNBA title in September, and with other major sports franchises arriving, the city has become a thriving sports market.
The Knights have also become deeply connected to their community, especially after the tragic shooting in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017. Their role in the city’s healing process, along with their success on the ice, has cemented their place in the heart of the community.
The franchise’s bold moves—bringing in players like Stone, Eichel, and Alex Pietrangelo—paid off with a championship, and coach Bruce Cassidy, hired just last year after being let go by the Boston Bruins, guided them to victory.
“He brought an intensity to our locker room that we needed,” Stone said of Cassidy. “He wanted to win as much as anyone else in that room.”
Cassidy, in turn, praised the team’s resilience and work ethic. “It’s a great story—I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” he said. “I’m just here to do my job, and it worked out perfectly.”
Goaltender Adin Hill, who took over during the playoffs due to an injury to Laurent Brossoit, played a crucial role in the Knights’ triumph.
“You dream of moments like this as a kid,” Hill said. “To be here with this team and this city, it’s a dream come true.”
