Published 4:10 PM PST, June 2, 2023. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Few expected the Florida Panthers to be playing for the Stanley Cup. Not with two weeks left in the regular season and certainly not when they trailed the NHL-best Boston Bruins 3-1 in the first round. The Vegas Golden Knights expected to be playing for the Stanley Cup.Zach Whitecloud scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Adin Hill made a remarkable stick save among his 33 stops in net. Original Knights players Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore and captain Mark Stone also scored on Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky. Stone's insurance goal late The Western Conference Final is over, and the Vegas Golden Knights are moving on to play for the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars are headed home despite showing some decent resilience
In the Western Conference Final, the Golden Knights met up with the Dallas Stars. The Stars prevented Vegas from an appearance in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, so a measure of revenge was at stake here.
After months of a pandemic-induced pause, the NHL returned in earnest on Saturday, Aug. 1.Players hit the ice again as the NHL's return-to-play plan hit Phase 4; also known as the 2020 Stanley Cup
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill blocks a shot by Florida Panthers center Nick Cousins during the second period of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 3. (John Locher / Associated Press) Stanley Cup Final: Golden Knights edge Panthers in Game 4, move within 1 win of title. Chandler Stephenson scored twice and the Golden Knights held off a late Panthers push as Vegas inched closer YfMeP.