The Vegas Golden Knights’ franchise may still be in its infancy, but they’ve certainly been one of the more successful NHL teams in recent years.
Since joining the NHL in the 2017-18 season, the Golden Knights have been to two Stanley Cup Finals and are on the cusp of their first championship. And ahead of Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, the Golden Knights had the coolest throwback to their roots.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy began Game 5 with the lineup of Reilly Smith, William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore. The significance? All five of those players were on the Golden Knights’ original roster back in 2017.
Bruce Cassidy is starting all Golden Misfits tonight. Just wait for the roar when they're announced.
Smith–Karlsson–Marchessault
McNabb–Theodore— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) June 14, 2023
So, what are the Golden Misfits? The nickname is what Vegas players called themselves after the expansion draft. It makes sense, after all. The 30 original Golden Knights players were castoffs from the other NHL teams, all exposed for the expansion draft by their former clubs.
Golden Knights fans, of course, ate it all up ahead of Tuesday’s Game 5.
The Vegas crowd went WILD when the starting lineup of all Golden Misfits was announced 🔊
🎥 @JesseGranger_ | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Qzt6odRmeX
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) June 14, 2023
How awesome is that?
