It’s only fitting that the StanleyCup Final during such a chaotic playoff is a virtual coin flip. Two evenly-matched elite teams is exactly how this season should end. Follow along for Game 1:
LAS VEGAS — As Paul Maurice says, this is the best time of year to be a player and a coach.But for the final two teams still standing — the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers, their players, coaches, front office members and support staff come to the rink in a great mood. They’ve shared experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. And they each share a satisfaction from winning 12 games through three rounds of grueling playoff hockey with eyes on the final prize: the Stanley Cup.
Now, they’re here getting this opportunity, and many of them are pinching themselves to make sure this is real. “I’m sitting in this seat and my teammates are sitting here around me, and we didn’t do it the easy way, that’s for sure,” said Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk, who is part of an eighth seed that upset the first-, second- and fourth-best regular-season teams during this Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final that begins Saturday night. “We didn’t have the easiest route. In fact, we probably had the hardest route.
“Ultimately our goal going into the playoffs is to have a chance to win the Stanley Cup and we put ourselves in the position where there’s two teams left, and that’s all you dream about. If we’re able to knock off this juggernaut here in Vegas, it would be probably the hardest road to a Stanley Cup in history. So that’s our goal is to knock off this team and see if we can make history. This would be the biggest joy of my life.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Stanley Cup Final Game 1 odds, picks: Will Vegas or Florida win first Stanley Cup?The 2022-23 NHL postseason has unpredictable to say the least. But that won't stop TheAthleticNHL staff from trying. Our experts make their picks for Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Odds via BetMGM
Read more »
2023 Stanley Cup Final Preview: Bruins Fans' Guide to Panthers Vs. Golden KnightsHere’s what Bruins fans should know about the 2023 Stanley Cup Final matchup between the Panthers and Golden Knights.
Read more »
How the 'Golden Misfits' have grown since their last trip to the Stanley Cup FinalFive years ago a Vegas team full of strangers bonded instantly and shocked the hockey world. Today six players remain from that team, and they are ready for another chance at the Stanley Cup. JesseGranger_ shares the journey of the 'Golden Misfits.'
Read more »
LeBrun: How the Stanley Cup finalists were built — warm-weather markets, aggressive GMs and lax taxesThis year’s Panthers-Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final is Exhibit A of how being an aggressive general manager can pay off in the NHL.
Read more »
FA Cup finals ranked: Steven Gerrard final remains most thrilling of 21st century...The Steven Gerrard Final remains the most entertaining FA Cup showpiece of the 21st century. A Liverpool win is also runner-up, while City feature at no.3, not that they'd wish to remember...
Read more »
Pep Guardiola to take gamble on back-up goalkeeper over Ederson for FA Cup finalManchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will start in Saturday’s FA Cup final. The Spaniard has stated that he will not be selecting first-choice sho…
Read more »