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Knights Shine in 7-2 Thrashing, Lead 2-0

The Vegas Golden Knights made a huge statement Monday night unleashing an offensive juggernaut that saw an avalanche of goals unloaded on their opponent.

Jonathan Marchessault scored twice and started an early blitz that chased the NHL’s hottest postseason goalie, and the Golden Knights seized control of the Stanley Cup Final with a 7-2 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 2 in front of frenetic crowd of 18,561 at T-Mobile Arena.

The Knights were dominant early, taking a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Marchessault and Martinez. It was Vegas’ third game in a row with a power-play goal, its first such stretch since the end of December.

Marchessault also had an assist to finish with three points. His 12 postseason goals set a Golden Knights record, with all coming after the first round.

Brett Howden scored twice for the Knights, who also got goals from Alec Martinez, Nicolas Roy and Michael Amadio. Six players had at least two points for Vegas, all 18 Knights skaters were on the ice for even-strength goals and their nine goal scorers through the first two games are a Stanley Cup Final record.

The Knights' seven goals tied a franchise mark for a playoff game.

It was too much for Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who was removed 7:10 into the second period down 4-0. It was the fifth time in 12 games the Knights have chased the opposing goalie.

Adin Hill continued his stellar play in net with 29 saves for the Golden Knights, who grabbed a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Teams that take a 2-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final are 31-3 in the expansion era. The Panthers will try to buck history beginning with Game 3 on Thursday as they host their first games of the Finals.

If Florida can't solve the Knights offensive prowess that has featured 11 goals in the first two games, it will be an early Finals ending to this Cinderella story for the Panthers. Game 3 is literally do or die for them with the Knights wielding a steady sword.