In just the franchise’s seventh season, the Vegas Golden Knights have captured the Stanley Cup trophy, and the Las Vegas poker community has erupted in celebration.
The Knights defeated the Florida Panthers in a 9-3 rout at T-Mobile Arena on the Strip Tuesday night, just down the road from the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP), the fifth game of the best-of-seven series.
For Vegas it was the team’s second trip to the Stanley Cup Final. In 2018, two years into the expansion team’s existence, the Knights fell to the Washington Capitals 4-1. This time around, however, there was nothing that could stand in their way, not even a fierce opponent like the Panthers, a team that underachieved during the regular season and got hot during the playoffs.
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Golden Knights are the Champs
The Las Vegas poker community has adopted the Golden Knights as the favorite team. During Tuesday’s WSOP events, the game was on the big screens inside the tournament areas at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Many players were as zoned in on the hockey game as they were the action on the felt. And then there were those who skipped the WSOP, such as Mike Matusow, in favor of watching their beloved NHL team.
Game 5 of Stanley cup final with my brother @HScottMatusow ! Let’s take cup tonight!1 https://t.co/QBJp6tzBHY
Vegas opened the scoring in the first period with a Mark Stone goal. Shortly after, Nicolas Hague would make the score 2-0. In the second period, the game got out of hand. Heading into the second and final intermission, the Knights held a 6-1 lead and everyone in attendance knew the game was out of reach.
When all was said and done, after both teams tacked on some third period goals, Vegas won Game 5 by a score of 9-3 and captured the series 4-1. In doing so, the Knights captured their first Stanley Cup title just seven seasons into the franchise’s existence.
Vegas Poker Community Erupts
Matusow was one of numerous high-profile players at T-Mobile Arena for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Daniel Negreanu, who played a role in bringing the team to Las Vegas in 2017, was in attendance. The long-time Toronto Maple Leafs fan who mostly switched allegiances after the Knights came to Vegas, is still in search of his first WSOP title since 2013, but at least he now he can celebrate claiming The Cup.
Year 1 crew. #VegasBorn #StanleyCupFinals @RealKidPoker @CBLegacy @lkcesq17 https://t.co/0D01VVe0Dx
Negreanu expressed a lack of confidence in the team around midseason when he questioned if they’d even make the playoffs. But he did predict a Game 5 win on Twitter prior to its start.
Todd Brunson, who last month assisted in the Golden Knights honoring his late father and fellow Poker Hall of Famer, Doyle Brunson, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of Game 5.
If you’re in Vegas tonight I think it’s the biggest party night of the year. Proceed accordingly #
Chris Hunichen, who had tickets to the game, had to sell his Game 5 tickets as he bagged a big stack on Day 1 (Monday) of Event #29: $100,000 High Roller. However, he busted on Day 2 short of the money in 19th place (top 14 paid).
The Knights had their ups and downs this year, much like the poker tournament grind. But in the end, the best team prevailed, much like the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces did in 2022.
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