2022-23 Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights Season Review

From the opening puck drop of the 2022-23 season the Golden Knights functioned like a championship contender. Under new coach Bruce Cassidy, Vegas started with a (8-2-0) record in the opening month of October. VGK’s winning ways continued through November and December, with Mark Stone and Jack Eichel leading the way. In an early November game in Buffalo, an emotional Eichel led his team to a 7-4 victory, scoring the Golden Knights first hat trick of the season.

Mid-Season Momentum

By mid-season, the Golden Knights were well on their way to a playoff appearance. Throughout the season Vegas frustrated opponents with their balance and execution. Cassidy’s team brought their heavy forecheck, steady goaltending and strong defense on a nightly basis. Alex Pietrangelo, Alec Martinez, Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore formed one of the NHL’s best defensive unit in the league. Goalies Logan Thompson and Adin Hill greatly benefited from the consistency of the blue liners in front of them. By season’s end, Vegas was one of the toughest teams to score against in the NHL.

Start of the Playoffs

To start the playoffs, the Golden Knights were locked into the number one seed in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference. In the opening round of the postseason Vegas hosted the Winnipeg Jets for a best-of-seven series. After a Game 1 dud, the Golden Knights defeated the Jets four straight games and never looked back. For the second round of the playoffs, Vegas welcomed in Pacific Division rivals Edmonton Oilers.

The Battle with Edmonton Oilers

Eichel, Stone and Ivan Barbashev powered the Golden Knights to a high-scoring 6-4 Game 1 victory. Edmonton stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl led their team to wins in Game 2 and Game 4 but couldn’t get any closer. The Golden Knights scored nine goals in the final six periods to eliminate the Oilers in six games. For the fourth time in team history Vegas advanced to the Western Conference Final.

Western Conference Final

In a repeat of the 2020 semifinals matchup, the Golden Knights and Dallas Stars met for a chance to play in the Stanley Cup Finals. For the second straight series, Vegas took a one-game advantage with a 4-3 overtime victory. Game 2 also went into a sudden death period; Chandler Stephenson scored the game-winning goal in the 61st minute. The momentum continued into Game 3 as the Golden Knights shutout out the Stars 4-0 in Dallas. Up 3-0, Vegas let Game’s 4 and 5 slip. The Golden Knights bounced back with a 6-0 dismantling of the Stars to advance to the franchise’s second Stanley Cup Finals.

Stanley Cup Finals

Vegas came out strong against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Tied 2-2 in the third period, the Golden Knights took control and scored three unanswered goals, rolling to a 5-2 victory. Jonathan Marchessault made way for a 7-2 blowout victory in Game 2. Marchessault tallied his eleventh and twelfth goals of the postseason, giving Vegas a two-game series lead. Florida pulled out Game 3 in overtime, but Vegas regained their two game series advantage with a 3-2 victory. In game 5 back at The Fortress it was the Captain, Mark Stone, getting Vegas on the board in the 1st period on a short-handed goal. Nic Hague continued the scoring giving Vegas a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. Florida would answer early in the second period with a goal to cut the Knights lead to 1. After that it was all Vegas going on to win the Stanley Cup 9-3!

Victory and Celebrations

The Vegas Golden Knights become the 21st NHL franchise to win the coveted Stanley Cup trophy. Jonathan Marchessault was the Conn Smythe winner.