Associated Press
Vegas Golden Knights players celebrate during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars, Monday, May 29, 2023, in Dallas.
Published Monday, May 29, 2023 | 6:43 p.m.
Updated Monday, May 29, 2023 | 9:20 p.m.
DALLAS — The Stanley Cup Final begins this weekend in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights have punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in their six-year history by way of a 6-0 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final at American Airlines Center on Monday.
"It's a great accomplishment to be the best team in the Western Conference," captain Mark Stone said. "But we want to be the best team in the league. This is a great achievement, but this is not our goal. We want to win the Stanley Cup."
Standing opposite Vegas will be the surprising story of the postseason, the Florida Panthers. The eighth-seeded team out of the Eastern Conference upset the Presidents' Trophy-winning Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round, then followed that with a five-game series win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.
Game 1 is set for Saturday at T-Mobile Arena (TNT, 5 p.m.).
"They're playing some great hockey. There's no denying that. They deserve to be where they are, and they're there for a reason," Stone said. "They got some guys playing at a high level that we'll have to key on."
This is the first time the Golden Knights will play for the Stanley Cup since the storybook run of their inaugural season in 2018. Vegas lost in five games to the Washington Capitals, who won their first championship under captain Alex Ovechkin.
William Karlsson scored twice and had an assist, and Jonathan Marchessault added a goal for the Golden Knights to put a bow on their fourth conference final appearance in six seasons. Adin Hill made 23 saves for his second shutout of the series.
"It's a great feeling to clinch the final spot," Karlsson said. "A lot of smiles and happiness all around."
Vegas erupted for three goals in the initial period to set the tone, starting six minutes into the game when William Carrier scored on a backhanded shot for a 1-0 lead.
Karlsson followed with his ninth goal of the postseason at the 10:25 mark on the power play, and Keegan Kolesar added the third goal at 14:00.
Vegas continued to pour it on while not needing much offensively. Marchessault scored at 10:25 of the second, the Knights' first shot of the period, to make it 4-0. Karlsson added his second of the game 2:06 into the third for the five-goal cushion. Michael Amadio made it six with his
The Golden Knights won the first three games of this series to put the Stars on the ropes. Dallas responded with wins in Games 4 and 5, leading coach Pete DeBoer to say the pressure now shifted to Vegas heading into Monday.
But Marchessault said after morning skate that he felt the Golden Knights were due for their best road game of the playoffs. They delivered in an emphatic way.
And now, the Golden Knights are four wins away from their ultimate goal.
"I do believe you have to enjoy these moments," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "I thought Dallas played a terrific series. They were a great opponent. We just happened to be a little better. Now, it's on to the final."
Stanley Cup Final schedule
Game 1: Saturday, 5 p.m., TNT (T-Mobile Arena)
Game 2: June 5, 5 p.m., TNT (T-Mobile Arena)
Game 3: June 8, 5 p.m., TNT (FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, Fla.)
Game 4: June 10, 5 p.m., TNT (FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, Fla.)
*Game 5: June 13, 5 p.m., TNT (T-Mobile Arena)
*Game 6: June 16, 5 p.m., TNT (FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, Fla.)
*Game 7: June 19, 5 p.m., TNT (T-Mobile Arena)
*if necessary
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
