NHL · Pacific · Las Vegas, Nevada, US · T-Mobile Arena

Vegas Golden Knights

The franchise that defied every expansion precedent, the Golden Knights arrived in Las Vegas and immediately went all-in - reaching the Cup Final in year one, winning it all in year six, and proving that the sports capital of the world was missing only one thing: a hockey team to love.

2017

2017–2019

The Misfits

A historic inaugural season for the ages

The Vegas Golden Knights entered the NHL in 2017-18, just months after the tragic October 1 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival. The team became a rallying point for a grieving community, and the connection between the franchise and the city was forged in the most meaningful way possible. The 'Vegas Strong' motto united players and fans.

On the ice, the Golden Knights produced the greatest expansion season in professional sports history. Built through the expansion draft by general manager George McPhee, the team of so-called 'misfits' rejected by their former clubs won the Pacific Division and reached the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Washington Capitals in five games. Marc-Andre Fleury was spectacular in goal, and William Karlsson's transformation from a bottom-six forward to a 43-goal scorer was one of the most remarkable individual stories in hockey history.

Key Facts

  • Reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season
  • Won the Pacific Division with a 51-24-7 record
  • Marc-Andre Fleury was the heart of the inaugural team
  • The franchise became a symbol of resilience after the October 1 tragedy
2019

2019–Present

Champions

Stanley Cup glory in the desert

The Golden Knights continued to be competitive after their fairy-tale inaugural season, making the playoffs consistently and adding key pieces through trades and free agency. The acquisitions of Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, Jack Eichel, and others demonstrated the franchise's willingness to be aggressive in pursuit of a championship. The team moved from the T-Mobile Arena's earliest days to becoming one of the hottest tickets in all of sports.

The 2022-23 season was the crowning achievement. With Jack Eichel leading the offense, Adin Hill providing clutch goaltending, and a deep roster contributing throughout the lineup, the Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers in five games to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup. The celebration on the Las Vegas Strip was unlike anything in hockey history, with the city's famous entertainment culture providing the backdrop for one of the sport's most unique championship parties. In just six seasons, the Golden Knights had gone from expansion team to champions.

Key Facts

  • Won the Stanley Cup in 2023, defeating Florida in five games
  • Jack Eichel acquired in a blockbuster trade in 2021
  • Mark Stone served as captain and leader
  • Championship celebration on the Las Vegas Strip was historic