Vegas dominated the Stanley Cup! Unwanted Marchessault becomes MVP

When the new Vegas Golden Knights organization was born in 2017, owner Bill Foley said he wanted to win the Stanley Cup within six years. His players accomplished that goal, as the Golden Knights won their first ever Stanley Cup last night.

In the matchup between Vegas and Florida, it was clear that a new organization was going to be etched on the Stanley Cup. Yet both teams have had their chances, the Panthers fell short to Colorado in 2016, the Golden Knights succumbed to Washington in their first season.

The finals were a pretty clear-cut affair this time around. Vegas was the better team in almost all the games and deservedly won.

Having dominated the first two home games, Florida knew they had to win both games at home, just one win could spell disaster. And that’s exactly what happened.

Vegas came home with a 3-1 series lead and had home ice advantage. Too tempting an opportunity to pass up.

The Golden Knights took a two-goal lead in the first period and Ekblad cut it to two at the start of the second. But there was no drama as Vegas scored four more goals before the end of the second period to make it 6-1.

The seventh goal in the Panthers’ net provoked a minor reaction, with Reinhart and Bennett scoring to reduce it to 3:7. However, Vegas had the last word again, first Stone hit the empty net and Roy capped the scoring for the final 9: 3.

Vegas blasted their opponent and deservedly lifted the trophy for the best NHL team.

Jonathan Marchessault won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable player of the playoffs. It is a great satisfaction for the Canadian forward, as he was never drafted, was overlooked, and at one time even played for Florida, who got rid of him easily.

And now, with 25 points (13+12), he has led Vegas to the Stanley Cup. He’s also the first undrafted player since Wayne Gretzky to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Source: NHL