On June 13, 2023, the Florida Panthers tried to start the fifth game of the Stanley Cup Final with a bang. They were on the power play in the first period, setting up in the offensive zone. Then, comes Mark Stone with a takeaway, leading to a one-on-one rush. He's coming in on Sergei Bobrovsky and he shoots!
The Vegas Golden Knights take a 1-0 lead and never look back, taking complete control of the game (and the Stanley Cup Playoffs). Two periods later, they've tripled up the Panthers, 9-3, to bring home their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Story complete. Let's have a memorable parade and celebrate with the fans.
While Florida did return to the championship round, they might be in some trouble in their current Stanley Cup Final, for they've lost the last two games. Suddenly, the Edmonton Oilers have scored 13 goals in their last two games, overwhelming Bobrovsky and awakening Connor McDavid. Two goals have come short-handed (one from former Golden Knight, Mattias Janmark, and another from Connor Brown).
But that leads to a broader question: Who has the most short-handed goals in Stanley Cup Final history? Which team has turned the tables (and the momentum) in a game, leaving the other team shocked? Here's a look at who has the most short-handed goals in the championship round, both from a team and player perspective.
The Detroit Red Wings have scored the most short-handed goals as a team in Stanley Cup Final history
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the ghosts of older teams skate around the ice. It's a reminder of the simpler days when the Original Six would duke it out for NHL supremacy. This was long before anybody even thought of the Vegas Golden Knights as a concept. Speaking of Original Six, the Detroit Red Wings have the most short-handed goals in Stanley Cup Final history with 13.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in second place with 11 goals, followed by the Boston Bruins with 10. As for the most short-handed goals by a player, 10 individuals are tied for the most with two goals. That list includes Mario Lemieux, Kirk Matby, and Serge Savard.
Mark Stone might be a goal behind the top of that list. However, if the Vegas Golden Knights can make a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs during their contention window, expect the Captain to get one or two more. Who knows? Stone might be at the top of the leaderboard by himself.