Last season, the Vegas Golden Knights spectacularly finished the Florida Panthers. They tripled up the Panthers in game five of the Stanley Cup Final, 9-3, bringing home the franchise's first Stanley Cup. Mark Stone had a hat trick in that game, finishing the story told by the 2017-18 team's miraculous run to the championship round.
Granted, it wasn't the biggest blowout in the final round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. That honor goes to the 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins, who obliterated the Minnesota North Stars in game six to win their first Stanley Cup. However, the nine goals in that game is an NHL record.
It ties the Detroit Red Wings (1935-36) and Toronto Maple Leafs (1941-42) for most goals in a Stanley Cup Final game with nine. In fact, the Golden Knights are also tied for 13th-most on that list, scoring seven goals against those same Panthers on June 5, 2023. It's safe to say Vegas was on top of their offensive game that series.
But what about the most goals in the championship round? What about the player who has the most goals during that series? The Stanley Cup playoffs bring out the best in some players, with some etching their names on the Conn Smythe Trophy. Here's a look at the different records throughout the final's history.
Most goals scored in Stanley Cup Final history
Regarding the most goals scored between two teams in Stanley Cup Final history, the record goes back to 1972-73 between the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks. Both teams scored 56 goals that series, with Montreal netting 33 and Chicago adding 23. The Canadiens won the series, 4-2, adding another Stanley Cup to their large collection. Montreal's 33 goals are also a record for most goals in the final round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
As for the individual record, that belongs to Canadiens legend, Maurice Richard. The "Rocket" scored 34 goals in the NHL's championship round, four ahead of Jean Beliveau. A major part of Montreal's many Stanley Cup titles has come from these two Hall of Famers alone, with both stars setting their mark in hockey.
As for the Vegas Golden Knights, Mark Stone and Reilly Smith are the franchise leaders for most goals in Stanley Cup Final history. Both players scored five goals in the final round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. A chunk of Stone's five goals came in that memorable game five last season, pushing him to the top of the list.