* The Golden Knights became the third franchise in the past 90 years to make at least two Stanley Cup Final appearances within their first six NHL seasons, securing a first-ever postseason matchup with the Panthers and ensuring the 2023 Stanley Cup champion will be a team that has never hoisted the trophy before.
* William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault each boosted their goal totals in potential series-clinching games and added their names to a short list of active players with five-plus tallies during those contests in a single postseason. The pair, who played a crucial role in helping Vegas close out the series, are two of six players who skated for the Golden Knights during their 2018 Stanley Cup Final run that remain with the team.
* It took 83 games to set the stage for the 2023 Stanley Cup Final which will begin on June 3 at 8 p.m. ET when the Golden Knights welcome the Panthers to T-Mobile Arena.
THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS ARE HEADED TO THE STANLEY CUP FINAL
The Golden Knights earned their fourth shutout in a series-clinching game to lock in their ticket to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final – their second-ever appearance as they continue to chase their first championship.
* The Golden Knights won their 10th series since entering the NHL in 2017-18, which trails only the Lightning (13) for the most among all teams over that span. They became the second franchise in NHL history to record 10 series victories through their first six seasons, following the Oilers (12 from 1980-1985).
* The Golden Knights became the eighth franchise in NHL history, and third in the past 90 years, to make at least two Stanley Cup Final appearances within its first six NHL seasons, joining the Oilers (3), Blues (3), Rangers (3), Bruins (3), original Senators (3), Maple Leafs (2) and Maroons (2).
* The Golden Knights can become the second major professional sports team in Las Vegas to win a championship, following the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA in 2022.
* More notes from Vegas advancing to the Stanley Cup Final can be found in Monday’s #NHLStats: Live Updates.
KARLSSON, MARCHESSAULT ADD TO GOAL TOTAL, HILL POSTS CLINCHING SHUTOUT
William Karlsson (2-1—3) and Jonathan Marchessault (1-0—1) combined for three of Vegas’ six goals and Adin Hill (23 saves), skating in his first postseason and just 11th career playoff game, posted a series-clinching shutout to propel the Golden Knights into the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
* Karlsson became the fourth player in franchise history to record a multi-goal outing in a potential series-clinching contest, joining Marchessault (3-0—3 in Game 6 of 2023 R2), Mattias Janmark (3-0—3 in Game 7 of 2021 R1) and Chandler Stephenson (2-0—2 in Game 5 of 2023 R1).
* Since the Golden Knights’ inaugural season in 2017-18, Karlsson has recorded 16 points in potential series-clinching games (7-9—16) which trails only Nathan MacKinnon (9-10—19) for the most among all players over that span.
* Hill became the eighth goaltender since 2003 to earn a series-clinching shutout in the round before the Stanley Cup Final, joining Andrei Vasilevskiy (Game 7 of 2021 SF), Tuukka Rask (Game 4 of 2019 CF & Game 4 of 2013 CF), Braden Holtby (Game 7 of 2018 CF), Ben Bishop (Game 7 of 2015 CF), Henrik Lundqvist (Game 6 of 2014 CF), Tim Thomas (Game 7 of 2011 CF) and Marc-Andre Fleury (Game 5 of 2008 CF).
BRACKET CHECK: AND JUST TWO TEAMS REMAIN
After 83 games, the final bracket is set: the Golden Knights and Panthers will face off in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, meaning one of the two “Sun Belt” teams will hoist its first-ever Cup. Vegas and Florida will meet in the postseason for the first time, marking the 66th unique Stanley Cup Final in NHL history and 46th in the expansion era (since 1967-68). 
* For the second time in NHL history the Stanley Cup Final will feature two franchises that both came into existence in the 90s or later. The only other time that occurred was the 2007 Stanley Cup Final between the Ducks and Senators.
* This marks the fourth consecutive Final where a team from the state or Florida will be represented. The only other states or provinces to have as many consecutive years with at least one franchise represented are Quebec (10 from 1951 to 1960; 5 from 1965 to 1969 & 4 from 1976 to 1979), Alberta (8 from 1983 to 1990), New York (6 from 1979 to 1984) and Ontario (4 from 1920 to 1923).
* The 2023 Stanley Cup Final will be the seventh in NHL history to feature teams whose head coaches are in their first season with the franchise and first since 2016 (Mike Sullivan w/ PIT & Peter DeBoer w/ SJS).
* Vegas holds an all-time record of 6-3-1 against Florida (4-5-1), including a 2022-23 regular-season series split (1-1-0) that saw each team find a win on home ice.
STANLEY CUP FINAL PLAYER TO WATCH: SERGEI BOBROVSKY
Sergei Bobrovsky, the backbone of the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final and a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, has been one of the League’s top goaltenders during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and could establish multiple franchise records by postseason’s end.
* Bobrovsky enters the Stanley Cup Final with a .935 save percentage – tops among all goaltenders that have made at least one start this postseason. Should Bobrovsky maintain that mark through the end of the Final, he would establish a Panthers record for highest save percentage in a playoff year, topping Roberto Luongo (.934 SV% in 2016).
* Bobrovsky’s 11 wins also rank first among all netminders this postseason and sit just one shy of the Florida record for most in a single playoff run. John Vanbiesbrouck went 12-10 during the Panthers’ only other run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1996.
* Bobrovsky has suffered just two losses so far in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and could join a short list should he avoid another defeat in the Final. Only four goaltenders in NHL history have recorded at least 10 wins and two losses or fewer in a single postseason: Grant Fuhr (16-2 w/ EDM in 1988), Gerry Cheevers (12-1 w/ BOS in 1970), Ken Dryden (12-2 w/ MTL in 1977 & 12-1 w/ MTL in 1976) and Gump Worsley (11-0 w/ MTL in 1968). All four netminders led their respective teams to championships those years.
* Bobrovsky blanked the Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at 34 years, 244 days, becoming the oldest goaltender at the time of his first career playoff shutout since Tim Thomas (35 years, 340 days in Game 5 of 2009 CSF). Should Bobrovsky lead the Panthers to a Stanley Cup victory, the 34-year-old would join yet another exclusive all-time list.
QUICK CLICKS
* Conference Finals Recap by #NHLStats – 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs
* Full Matchup Notes for Vegas and Florida’s upcoming Stanley Cup Final
*Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers have fans, celebrities buzzing with run to Cup Final
* Anthony Duclair overcame Achilles injury to help Panthers reach Stanley Cup Final
* 2023 Stanley Cup Final primer: Golden Knights vs. Panthers
