The Vegas Golden Knights secured their first-ever Stanley Cup victory in impressive fashion, defeating the Florida Panthers 9-3 on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. This achievement holds particular significance as it comes in only the sixth season of the franchise's existence.
During their inaugural year, the Golden Knights surprised many by making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, although they ultimately fell short. While the team has undergone changes since then, a few players from that original roster, known as the "Golden Misfits," remain. One such player is Jonathan Marchessault, who expressed amazement at the progress the team has made since their early days. The Golden Misfits earned their nickname as they were players who came from other teams and were either unwanted or unprotected.
In a touching tribute to the foundation of the team, head coach Bruce Cassidy decided to start the game with the 2018 "Golden Misfits" lineup. This lineup consisted of Smith, Karlsson, and Marchessault up front, with McNabb and Theodore on defense. Marchessault revealed that they only found out about this decision moments before stepping onto the ice, and it meant a lot to him.
When asked about his decision, Cassidy downplayed it, acknowledging the importance of these players in the team's early development. He referred to them as the "original guys" who laid the groundwork for the franchise.
Unfortunately, one member of the original "Golden Misfits," William Carrier, was left out of the starting lineup. Cassidy expressed regret for this and apologized to Carrier, recognizing the disappointment of missing out on such an opportunity. Nevertheless, he expressed his happiness for the entire group and acknowledged the shared experience of reaching the final but falling short.
