Incredible! Golden Knights demolish Panthers with Stephenson’s hat trick to win 1st Stanley Cup in just 6 seasons

The Vegas Golden Knights have made history by winning their first Stanley Cup in just their sixth season of existence. The Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers in five games, with a dominating 9-3 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night.

A dream come true for the expansion team

The Golden Knights joined the NHL as an expansion team in 2017, and they have been defying the odds ever since. They reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, losing to the Washington Capitals in five games. They have made the playoffs in every season, winning three division titles and two conference championships.

Their owner, Bill Foley, had a goal of winning the Stanley Cup within six seasons, and he has achieved his mission. The Golden Knights are the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup since the 1974 Philadelphia Flyers, and the second-fastest team to win it after joining the league, behind only the 1928 New York Rangers.

A dominant performance by the Golden Knights

The Golden Knights were the top seed in the Western Conference and they showed why throughout the playoffs. They eliminated the Minnesota Wild in seven games, swept the Edmonton Oilers in four games, and beat the Chicago Blackhawks in six games to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

They faced the Florida Panthers, who were the second wild card team in the Eastern Conference and had upset the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Boston Bruins, and the New York Islanders on their way to the Final.

The Golden Knights took control of the series from the start, winning the first two games at home by a combined score of 13-4. The Panthers fought back with a 3-2 overtime win in Game 3 at home, but the Golden Knights responded with a 9-3 rout in Game 5 to clinch the championship.

The Golden Knights scored nine goals on 35 shots, with six different players finding the back of the net. Chandler Stephenson led the way with a hat trick, while Mark Stone scored three goals as well. Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore each had three assists, while Adin Hill made 29 saves in goal.

A celebration for the city of Las Vegas

The Golden Knights have become a source of pride and joy for the city of Las Vegas, which had never had a major professional sports team before them. The team has embraced the city’s culture and identity, with a flashy pregame show, a loyal fan base, and a catchy slogan: “Vegas Strong”.

The team has also been a symbol of hope and resilience for the city after the tragic mass shooting that occurred on October 1, 2017, just days before their first regular season game. The team honored the victims and first responders throughout their inaugural season, and they have continued to support the community ever since.

The Golden Knights celebrated their Stanley Cup victory with their fans at T-Mobile Arena, where they were joined by popular DJ Steve Aoki for a live performance. The team also received congratulations from celebrities, politicians, and other sports teams from Las Vegas and beyond.

The Golden Knights have achieved something incredible in just six seasons. They have won the Stanley Cup for themselves, for their fans, and for their city. They have proven that anything is possible in Las Vegas.