Phil Kessel added one other notch to what has been an unbelievable NHL profession on Tuesday, locking up his third Stanley Cup title because the Vegas Golden Knights dominated the Florida Panthers in Sport 5.
Regardless of being a wholesome scratch since taking part in within the first 4 video games of the Golden Knights’ opening-round playoff collection in opposition to the Winnipeg Jets, the veteran nonetheless managed to throw a shot on the Toronto media whereas celebrating the victory over the Panthers.
“Takes me again to my Toronto days,” Kessel advised Mike Stephens of The Hockey Information. “You guys stated I could not win, and now I am a three-time champ. Keep in mind that.”
Though he performed a minimal function within the Golden Knights’ championship run — registering two assists in these 4 playoff video games — his identify will nonetheless be etched on the Cup simply the identical.
“I am fortunate to play on good groups. It has been time. It is all the time superior,” Kessel advised Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and David Amber on the ice following Vegas’ 9-3 victory.
The 35-year-old performed all 82 regular-season video games with the Golden Knights to increase his iron man streak, scoring 14 targets and 22 assists. Hey confirmed to Friedman after Sport 5 that he has no plans to retire.
Kessel has taken some playful jabs since his departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The previous dynamic scorer took loads of warmth within the media throughout his tenure with the membership earlier than he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in July of 2015, the place he received his first two championships.
He nonetheless introduced the Stanley Cup to Toronto after successful his first ring in 2016. He visited Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Youngsters, and in a extra self-deprecating second, posed with a Stanley Cup filled with sizzling canine, making mild of the controversial Toronto Solar column following Kessel’s commerce to Pittsburgh that indicated he made a every day go to to a neighborhood sizzling canine stand earlier than displaying up on the area.
Kessel performed seven seasons with the Maple Leafs, however had just one postseason look with the membership following a blockbuster commerce from the Boston Bruins.
Kessel’s dig marked the second yr in a row {that a} polarizing ex-Maple Leaf known as out his haters whereas celebrating a Stanley Cup victory. Nazem Kadri received the ball rolling final yr throughout the Colorado Avalanche’s on-ice festivities.
“For everybody that thought I used to be a legal responsibility within the playoffs you possibly can kiss my ass,” Kadri stated on the time.