Knights erupt in 3rd period, grab 1-0 lead in Stanley Cup Final

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) and center Chandler Stephenson (20) celebrate Stone’s goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates his team’s goal over Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

A projection is seen on the ice during the pre-game show before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Golden Knights against Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) dives for the puck after facing off with Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) while Panthers left wing Anthony Duclair (10) watches during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights fans react after Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) scored a goal against Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) and Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) celebrate their score over Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights fans react after Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) scored a goal against Florida Panthers during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) has a shot deflected by Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Jake Delgado, 10 of Las Vegas wears a Mashmello mask as riding on his father David’s shoulders during a Marshmello’s concert outside T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

A Golden Knights fan sports a jacket lining with their logo outside before the start of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) reacts after his teammate Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) scored a goal against Florida Panthers during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights fan Paul Sanchez of San Antonio yells with his face painted outside before the start of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) celebrates right wing Mark Stone’s goal over the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights fans cheer for their team during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) nearly scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) with center Sam Reinhart (13) close by during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Florida Panthers fans complete with black rat get pumped outside before the start of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) its taken down to the ice by Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights Vegas Vivas cheerleaders perform outside T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen (27) is strangled by Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) during a fight in the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2), right wing Mark Stone (61), center Chandler Stephenson (20) and center Brett Howden (21) celebrate a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Jake Delgado, 10 of Las Vegas holds a Mashmello mask as riding on his father David’s shoulders during a Marshmello’s concert outside T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

The Golden Knights bench congratulate right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) on his goal during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Gary Bettman, commissioner of the NHL, speaks in a news conference before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals between the Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) skates for the net during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights fans react after Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) scored a goal against Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) and center Chandler Stephenson (20) celebrate a goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Players line up for the national anthem before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Golden Knights against Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) dives onto a loose puck from the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

A Vegas Belle dances in the stands before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals between the Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) and defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) defend the net against Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) and center Nick Cousins (21) while Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) heads for the net during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) fights with Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Florida Panthers fans react after Florida Panthers center Eric Staal (12) scored a goal against Golden Knights during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

The Golden Knights celebrate after defenseman Shea Theodore (27) scored during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61), right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) and defenseman Shea Theodore (27) celebrate Marchessault’s goal over Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights fans Albert Ronquillo, left, and Matt Schafer, right, both from Las Vegas, pose for a photo outside T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights and Florida Panthers players fight during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) and Florida Panthers left wing Anthony Duclair (10) collide on the boards during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

A Golden Knights fan sports tights with their logo outside before the start of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) misses the save on a shot by Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault, out of frame, while Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) watches the puck during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

A woman walk by the sign of Stanley Cup Final during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Golden Knights against Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

People stand up during the pre-game show before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Golden Knights against Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) has the puck slide by as teammate defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (7) watches against the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights fan Russ Kuch of Las Vegas shows off his custom gold jacket outside before the start of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) saves the puck during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) reaches for the puck against Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) and center Jack Eichel (9) during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights fans celebrate a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights fans toss streamers outside before the start of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) and defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) smother a shot with Florida Panthers center Nick Cousins (21) fighting in during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

A Golden Knights fan cheers during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) nearly scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) saves the puck against Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Marshmello performs outside T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) takes a glove to the face from Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas (7) in a fight during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights cheer after right wing Mark Stone scored during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights center Ivan Barbashev (49) and Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) collide on the boards during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights fans celebrate a score against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) misses a goal shot by the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) swings at Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) holds a giant puck to fans after defeating the Florida Panthers 5-0 during Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights center Ivan Barbashev (49) and right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) celebrate a score with teammate against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Vegas Golden Knights Vegas Vivas cheerleaders perform during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) and right wing Mark Stone (61) are congratulated by the bench on their goal over the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy looks back from the bench against the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

The puck hits Florida Panthers center Nick Cousins (21) in the face while Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (7), center Jack Eichel (9) and goaltender Adin Hill (33) battle to keep it out of the net during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

The Knights Guard celebrates after the Golden Knights won Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) watches the puck get past Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) for a score during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault (81) and center Brett Howden (21) celebrate after winning Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) takes a punch to the face from Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) while fighting during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) is restrained by Florida Panthers defenseman Marc Staal (18) while fighting during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

A Golden Knights fan celebrates after Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) scored during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights center Ivan Barbashev (49) watches a shot just misses past Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) tosses a giant puck to fans after defeating the Florida Panthers 5-0 during Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) celebrates a goal with teammates and fans during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) fields a shot on goal by the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Golden Knights fans react after Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) scored a goal against Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

The Golden Knights gather after winning Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt

Golden Knights fans react after Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2) scored a goal against Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto

Golden Knights players celebrate a 5-2 win against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Shea Theodore broke ankles at the blue line. Mark Stone knocked pucks out of the air with ease. Adin Hill covered parts of the net that seemed impossible.

The Golden Knights started the Stanley Cup Final with some of their key players putting their best attributes on display Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. It’s no surprise then that they emerged with a victory.

Theodore got his first goal of the playoffs, Stone had a signature steal-and-score, and Hill made 33 saves to help the Knights win Game 1 against the Florida Panthers 5-2.

Teams that take the series opener have gone on to win the final 63 of 83 times since it became a best-of-seven. The Knights still aren’t ready to relax after one victory. They took Game 1 against the Washington Capitals in their previous trip to the final in 2018 and then lost four straight.

“It’s a good feeling, but at the same time, we’re not even close to being done here,” Theodore said. “We have three more wins to go.”

The Knights only needed to win a period to win a game.

They were tied 2-2 at the second intermission after some incredible moments of back-and-forth action in front of an energetic announced crowd of 18,432 that included rapper Lil Jon, actor Owen Wilson and Jon Taffer from the TV show “Bar Rescue.”

That’s when some of their best players took over.

Center Jack Eichel and left wing Ivan Barbashev streaked through the neutral zone on a two-on-two, then recovered the puck when Barbashev’s shot was stopped. Barbashev then passed the puck over to defenseman Zach Whitecloud, who fired a wrist shot past goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to give the Knights a 3-2 lead 6:59 into the third.

“Pretty exciting,” Whitecloud said. “Obviously, any way you can contribute, that’s what every guy on this team is looking to do.”

From there, Stone did what he does best.

He knocked a puck out of midair with 6:19 left in the third period and then beat Bobrovsky to put his team up 4-2. It was a play that put on perfect display the hand-eye coordination and stick work that makes Stone one of the NHL’s best two-way players.

Left wing Reilly Smith sealed the win with an empty-net goal, his fourth in six final appearances.

That led to a parade of congratulatory hugs for Hill. The 27-year-old was as massive as his 6-foot-4-inch frame to improve to 8-3 in his first postseason. Hill, who didn’t become thestarter until Laurent Brossoit suffered a lower-body injury in Game 3 of the second round, made some absurd stops to keep the Knights in the game.

None loomed larger than the one he made 50 seconds into the second with the score tied 1-1. Defenseman Brandon Montour and right wing Matthew Tkachuk made two quick passes to set up left wing Nick Cousins for a tap-in at the top of the crease.

Hill reached back with his stick to deny the former Knight with the butt end of his blade, and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo blocked Cousins’ follow-up attempt to clear the danger. It was reminiscent of the stick save Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby made at the same end of the ice in Game 2 in 2018.

“I was on the ice, so he bailed me out,” said Eichel, who finished with two assists. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing that on the highlight reel for a long time, right? That’s a pretty incredible save. It’s a big moment in the game.”

It wasn’t the only impressive moment from Hill. He made two stops in quick succession on center Sam Bennett later in the second and stopped a breakaway from right wing Sam Reinhart in the third.

He outdueled Bobrovsky, who entered Saturday as one of the hottest goaltenders in the playoffs. He and the Panthers were 11-1 in their past 12 games and allowed only 27 goals in that span. Bobrovsky gave up four on 33 shots in Game 1. He allowed more than three for the first time in 11 starts.

One of them was to Theodore, who entered Saturday on a 27-game goal drought. He hadn’t scored since the Knights’ previous meeting with Florida on March 7. But he showed off his incredible skating skills with 9:06 remaining in the second period, dancing around right wing Anthony Duclair before flinging a wrist shot into the net.

“Having not scored so far in the playoffs, I was looking for one,” Theodore said. “I guess tonight’s a pretty good night to get the first one.”

Duclair answered off a faceoff with 11 seconds left in the second to tie the game 2-2. The teams also traded goals in the first.

Center Eric Staal scored a short-handed goal 9:40 into the game. That set up the Knights’ ninth comeback victory of the playoffs, tied for the third-most in NHL history.

Right wing Jonathan Marchessault equalized with a power-play goal with 2:42 left in the third. That extended his point streak to six games and gave him his first-ever goal in the final.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of stakes involved, and playing is everybody’s dream,” Marchessault said. “I thought tonight we played pretty well. We played our composed game, and we didn’t get too heated like they did there at the end. I think that’s winning hockey.”

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.