VEGAS, BABY, VEGAS

The Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup last night, a mere six years after their inception.

Game 5 was a rout, Vegas winning 9-3. The margin of victory gave the Vegas fans plenty of time to celebrate before the game ended and celebrate they did.

Vegas assistant coach John Stevens, a former Flyers head coach, runs the Golden Knights’ penalty kill. That unit got Vegas on the board first with a Mark Stone shorthanded goal in the first period. Vegas’ penalty kill held Florida without a goal in the series in 14 chances. It’s nearly impossible to win a series without a power-play goal. Vegas was 6-for-19 on the power play.

Stone, the Vegas captain, had three goals. He has overcome two back surgeries in nine months.

Cup celebrations pic.twitter.com/3Lxg4k4aDk

— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) June 14, 2023

Forward Jonathan Marchessault, an undrafted free agent, was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, given to the most valuable player in the playoffs. He scored 13 goals and 12 assists in 22 playoff games.

“What has happened here has been simply incredible,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said before presenting the Stanley Cup to Stone. “Not only is Vegas a hockey town, it’s a championship town.”

Here is the coverage from our partners at the National Hockey Now network:

Vegas Hockey Now: Golden Knights owner Bill Foley correctly predicted a Cup for his team in six years. There was no stopping “The Misfits” and the rest of the Golden Knights.

Florida Hockey Now: Panthers mourn the end of a magical season. Florida’s lack of depth was evident in loss to Vegas.

Flyers, In Case You Missed It:

Do Flyers take a big risk by drafting Russian Matvei Michkov if he’s available?

A cool piece of Flyers’ history might be taken away by the Vegas Golden Knights. (Update. It was.)

Will Nolan Patrick get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup?

Around The National Hockey Network:

Boston Hockey Now: Should the Bruins trade a goalie to clear salary-cap space?

Buffalo Hockey Now: Sabres missing some pieces to match Vegas’ model.

Calgary Hockey Now: Flames players have a lot to prove after GM, coaching changes.

Chicago Hockey Now: Patrick Sharp leaves Blackhawks’ booth for Flyers’ front office job.

Colorado Hockey Now: Making a case for Flyers’ Scott Laughton as Avalanche’s second-line center.

Detroit Hockey Now: Looking at three draft scenarios for Red Wings

Los Angeles Hockey Now: Why highly sought Pierre-Luc Dubois doesn’t make sense for Kings.

Montreal Hockey Now: Injury-plagued Canadiens fire medical personnel.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Three unrestricted free agent depth forwards the Devils might pursue.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Analysis of how Penguins’ draft-day trades have worked out.

Washington Hockey Now: Tom Wilson — should he stay or should he go?