The Vegas Golden Knights have six players remaining from the 2017-18 expansion team that shocked the hockey world by reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season.
Forwards Jonathan Marchessault, William Carlson, Reilly Smith and William Carrier and defensemen Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb will have their best finish this year after losing five games that season to the Washington Capitals.
“It doesn’t come around very often,” Smith told reporters Friday. “You have to make the most of our opportunities, and I think everyone in the locker room is excited about the opportunity ahead of us.”
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The Florida Panthers shocked the hockey world as the eighth seed reached the finals for the first time since 1996, beating the record-setting Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes.
Either the Golden Knights or the Panthers will cruise to four wins this time around and capture the first Stanley Cup title in franchise history. Here’s what to know about Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals:
When is Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final?
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights is scheduled to begin at 8 PM ET on Saturday, June 3 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
How do I watch Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals?
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals will be shown on TNT. A pregame show will begin at 7pm ET on TNT.
How do I live stream Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals?
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals can be streamed live on TNT.com, the TNT app or streaming services carried by TNT.
What does Goalie expect in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals?
Vegas’ Addin Hill (7-3, 2.07 goals-against average, .937 save percentage) vs. Florida’s Sergey Bobrovsky (11-2, 2.21, .935)
Who has been to the Stanley Cup Finals before?
Vegas: In addition to the six players from 2018, former winners include Alex Pietrangelo, Ivan Barbashev, Chandler Stephenson and Alec Martinez. So are Phil Kesel and backup goalie Jonathan Quick, who haven’t been used much in these playoffs. Coach Bruce Cassidy lost the 2019 Finals with the Bruins.
Florida: Carter Verhey and Eric Staal are former winners. Marc Staal lost in the 2014 Finals and coach Paul Morris lost with the 2002 Hurricanes.
