Vegas Golden Knights is the 2023 Stanley Cup champ

Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup after trashing the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, for the 1^st NHL championship in the franchise’s 6-year history.

THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS HAVE WON THEIR FIRST STANLEY CUP IN FRANCHISE HISTORY 🍾 pic.twitter.com/mvWXOf3XVw

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 14, 2023

The captain Mark Stone notched a hattrick for Golden Knights – his 2^nd hattrick in his career in the playoffs, as the other goals added Nicolas Hague, Alec Martinez, Reilly Smith, Mike Amadio, Ivan Barbashev, and Nicolas Roy.

HOME MEANS NEVADA FOR LORD STANLEY’S CUP!!!! #UKnightTheRealm pic.twitter.com/cFC6Rr4scG

— z – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 14, 2023

MARK STONE HAS A HAT TRICK IN GAME 5 OF THE STANLEY CUP FINAL

IT’S 8-3 GOLDEN KNIGHTS WITH 5:54 TO GO

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MAGICAL

— z – Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 14, 2023

The end was clear after the 1^st 2 periods because Vegas was leading 6-1 after the first 40 minutes.

At one point in his career, Adin Hill was:

▪️ Undrafted in the WHL
▪️ 4th string
▪️ Cut in the minors
▪️ Traded for a 4th rounder

More on this topic:

Rangers almost certainly to keep captain Trouba this summer

Tonight, he’s in goal for the Golden Knights — helping Vegas to secure its first Stanley Cup. pic.twitter.com/0GCuFG71O1

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 14, 2023

Aaron Ekblad netted for the Panthers to make it 2-1, but after that, Golden Knights scored 4 goals within 10 minutes. Sam Reinhart scored the 2^nd goal for Florida to make it 7-2. Sam Bennett added for 7-3.

HERE COME THE HATS 🎩 @GoldenKnights | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/5JrJPZzyD2

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 14, 2023

To lift the trophy in the NHL, Golden Knights eliminated in the 1^st round Winnipeg Jets 4-1, Edmonton Oilers 4-2 in the quarterfinals, and Dallas Stars 4-2 in the ½ finals.

Seven years ago, the Golden Knights didn’t exist.

There were doubts about fan interest in Las Vegas — but they became the city’s first pro major team in 2017.

This season, they’ve played to 104% fan capacity.

Now, for the first time, they’re Stanley Cup Champions. pic.twitter.com/xYsKeNamoL

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 14, 2023