The Penguins’ Stanley Cup defense is over

The Vegas Golden Knights could win the Stanley Cup in its first year of existence. That's largely thanks to a group of players who abandoned the last Cup winner.

With the Penguins out of the playoffs since the Capitals beat them in the second round, a group of former Penguins - led by their goalkeeper over a decade - has been critical in the historic Vegas race for the Cup final.

If the Golden Knights defeat the capitals, Fleury will win the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs. Even if the Knights lose, there is a chance that Fleury will win that honor.

Pittsburgh Won Its First Stanley Cup

Twenty-seven years ago, the Pittsburgh penguins ended the Stanley Cup drought for two and a half decades in a decisive victory in Game 6 against the Northern Star of Minnesota.

Game 6 was played in the capital's sports center in Minneapolis on May 25, 1991. Pittsburgh came out at the beginning of the first period and never gave pressure from the struggling northern stars (the predecessor of the Dallas stars).

With nine seconds left on the power game, Ulf Samuelsson scored just two minutes in the first period to give the penguins an advantage. Shamuelsson's successful work eventually gave Pittsburgh a win in the game; The pens closed the North Stars in three play periods.