Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images
The Vegas Golden Knights cruised to their first-ever Stanley Cup title with a 9-3 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the 2023 Final on Tuesday night.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS 🔥
GOING TO BE A PARTY ON THE VEGAS STRIP ♠️♦️ pic.twitter.com/x8ztkOxNdo
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
The perfect hand off from Stone to Smith 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ROht1crXzF
Florida suffered a brutal blow pre-game with the news that star forward Matthew Tkachuk had been ruled out with an upper-body injury, but the remainder of the Panthers roster failed to put up much of a fight in a do-or-die matchup.
The floodgates opened when Golden Knights captain Mark Stone began the scoring at the 11:52 mark of the first period before Nicolas Hague scored at the 13:41 mark to give Vegas an early 2-0 lead.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
STONE WITH THE GAME OPENING GOAL
1-0 VEGAS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/W1eai6Omeb
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
MAKE THAT 2-0 🚨 pic.twitter.com/BFY5QpnWc0
The Panthers appeared to have some life when Aaron Ekblad found the back of the net at the 2:15 mark of the second period, but it was all downhill from there as the Golden Knights’ offensive onslaught continued.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
FLORIDA GETS ONE BACK ‼️ pic.twitter.com/JKZYkM1K52
Stone, Alec Martinez, Reilly Smith and Michael Amadio scored in the second period as Vegas’ lead ballooned to 6-1 entering the final frame.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
MARTINEZ MAKES IT 3-1 KNIGHTS 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Zopfy51Jbg
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
PUT THE GOLD-TINTED SHADES ON, IT’S 4-1 🚨 pic.twitter.com/BmGl4y5X5m
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
STONE’S GOT 2, VEGAS HAS 5 🎉 pic.twitter.com/gDFjqfIDBK
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
BUZZER. BEATER.
6-1 KNIGHTS ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/8JDw9V91tg
The Golden Knights added another goal from Ivan Barbashev at the 8:22 mark of the third period to take a 7-1 lead. Sam Reinhart scored for the Panthers at the 8:47 mark to make it 7-2, but it was too little too late for Florida.
Sam Bennett scored Florida’s third goal of the game at the 11:39 mark of the third period before Stone scored his third of the night at the 14:06 mark to put Vegas up 8-3 and send the Golden Knights fans into a frenzy.
Nicolas Roy capped off the night with a goal of his own at the 18:58 mark of the final frame to put Vegas up 9-3.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
VEGAS ADDS ONE MORE WITH JUST OVER HALF THE PERIOD TO GO 👀 pic.twitter.com/YOLctRcLO4
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
STONE’S GOT THE FIRST HAT TRICK IN THE CUP FINAL SINCE FORSBERG IN 1996 🎩 pic.twitter.com/9NWpmA57OA
The Golden Knights were dominant in their gentleman’s sweep of the Panthers, outscoring Florida 26-12 through five games en route to hoisting the Stanley Cup, and fans were understandably elated with the outcome:
Ryan Lorbecki @rlorbecki
How about those Vegas Golden Knights?! #StanleyCupFinal CHAMPIONS #vegasgoldenknights @GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/evxS5fVnO6
Jamie Gatlin @JamieGatlin17
Bruce Cassidy is finally going to get his name on the Stanley Cup. It’s well deserved.
Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburn
I say this in extremely complimentary fashion: The Vegas Golden Knights had an extremely boring Stanley Cup championship run. Almost no real chaos. Showed up pretty much every night and just took care of business up and down the lineup. Not overly sexy. Just consistent as hell.
The Morning Skate @morning_skate
The @GoldenKnights have suffered long enough #StanleyCupFinal pic.twitter.com/bbaAC12YUr
Natasha McL-Chaisson (she/elle/ella) @NMCNutrition
I think we’re going to have a very happy little one in the morning! @GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/xHnqUU3EiE
Nicole Alicia Xavier @nicoleaxavier
Let’s just call it a WIN already ✨️ @GoldenKnights pic.twitter.com/oApoODBzft
Ethan Talks Pacers, Etc. @KriegerSports
The Golden Knights are really about to win it for @BarkAndreFurry. I’m so hyped.
Bille @Bilaal10
Congrats to the Golden Knights. What a freaking season. That was some hockey. #StanleyCupFinals
James Mead @jamessmead18
I LOVE THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS AHHHHHH #VegasBorn
I’m David. @PargaNation
OMYGAWDDDD WE HAVE DONE IT!!!!WE ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS DID IT! YOU PLAYED YOUR HEARTS OUT GOD BLESS. #GoldenKnights #GoKnightsGo #NHLTwitter #Winners #Champions #StanleyCup
Blake Garman @FrostedBlakes34
Vegas Golden Knights fans right now pic.twitter.com/UgrShBRu0v
FOX5 Las Vegas @FOX5Vegas
14 min left in the 3rd and the massive crowd of @GoldenKnights fans outside T-Mobile Arena are absolutely ready to PARTY and celebrate what could be a historic KNIGHT! #VegasBorn
quiche @keishaidk
LET’S GOOOOO @GoldenKnights
Stacy Albano — NASHVILLE-BOUND FOR NHL DRAFT 6/26! @StacyAlbano
The Vegas @GoldenKnights are officially the Gold Standard of the NHL! In Year 6, they get the job done! They are the 2023 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS! #StanleyCup #VegàsBorn #UKnightTheRealm pic.twitter.com/AGzVBphWdT
X – Vin 👊 @VinSharma95
Congrats to the Vegas Golden Knights your 2023 Stanley Cup Championships!!!!!!!!#VegasBorn
While the Golden Knights and their fans are going to celebrate their title all summer in the desert, the rest of the NHL has eyes toward 2024.
