:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72368271/1498287086.0.jpg "2023 Stanley Cup Final results: Golden Knights defeat Panthers in five games to win championship")
The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 on Tuesday night to win the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
The Golden Knights scored a barrage of goals in the second period, four to be exact, to take a commanding lead and never looked back en route to their first championship in franchise history. Vegas went to the Cup back in its first season in 2017-18, losing to the Washington Capitals. The Golden Knights missed the playoffs last season but brought in former Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy to take over behind the bench. That led to a title very quickly.
Mark Stone would go on to lead Vegas to the victory with a hat trick, scoring an empty-net goal late in the third period to complete it. Jack Eichel registered three assists in the win and finished with the NHL lead for postseason points with 26. Jonathan Marchesssault, the Conn Smythe favorite entering the game, had an assist with six shots on goal.
HERE COME THE HATS @GoldenKnights | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/5JrJPZzyD2
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 14, 2023