Jonathan Marchessault swung his left leg out after the first goal, yelled staring down at the ice following the second, and launched an uppercut through the air on the third.

And the veteran Golden Knights’ forward apparently wasn’t done celebrating his natural hat trick—three straight goals in the second period of a 5-2 Game 6 victory to eliminate the Edmonton Oilers. He saved some more emotional outbursts for the visiting locker room at Rogers Place in Edmonton after the contest.

“Good for [Marchessault, but] we’re going to have to hear it for the next four or five days,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy joked during in his post-game news conference. “That’s the unfortunate part, but we’ll live with that.”

Four or five days? Try another couple of weeks, because there’s been no reason for Marchessault to tone down his bravado so far.

The 32-year-old brought the red-hot form he found against Edmonton into the Western Conference Final against Dallas, during which he had four goals—and at least one point in each of the final five games.

Throughout the playoffs, Marchessault has arguably been Vegas’ most valuable skater, tallying nine goals—second on the team behind only William Karlsson’s 10—and 17 points, second on the team, behind only Jack Eichel’s 18.

“I like playing this time of year,” Marchessault said after dispatching Dallas. “Regular season, yeah, it’s fun, but it’s like more of a routine. The passion is there, and the want to score goals is there. But in the playoffs, it’s another animal. That’s what fuels me.”

If this all sounds eerily familiar, it’s because it has indeed happened before. Marchessault similarly raised his game to a lethal level during the Golden Knights’ expansion-season Stanley Cup Final run five years ago, with the accompanying moxie to match.

In that year’s Western Conference Final against Winnipeg, he was showing up for home games at T-Mobile Arena in a customized Golden Knights’ Lamborghini—and getting then-coach Gerard Gallant to affectionately refer to him as “a cocky little guy.”

Marchessault set the NHL record for most points by a player for a team in its first playoff appearance with 21, eight goals and 13 assists.

“There’s Marchy again,” Cassidy said of Marchessault’s ability to come through in the biggest moments. “I don’t know the entire history. I delved into it and read into it, but now I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

The only material Cassidy needed to read to realize what Marchessault has meant to the franchise overall is the record book, where No. 81 sits first in the vast majority of career offensive categories. That includes regular-season goals (150), regular-season points (348), postseason goals (30) and postseason points (63).

Not bad for a “little guy” the Panthers willingly gave away in the Golden Knights’ Expansion Draft, reportedly because of concerns over his 5-foot-9, 174-pound frame and his ability to contribute as an all-around player.

Marchessault isn’t the only “Original Misfit” still on the roster—Karlsson, Reilly Smith, William Carrier, Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore were all also acquired through the expansion draft—but no one better represents what the Golden Knights have stood for since the beginning.

And no one has been more impactful in Vegas. Marchessault might not be as naturally talented as Eichel or Mark Stone, or even as beloved as original goalie Marc-André Fleury, but he has accomplished more than anyone during his time here.

“It’s been a roller coaster six years for sure, a lot of ups and downs,” Marchessault said. “I’m definitely really proud of that term [Original Misfits]. That’s something we started. We were a bunch of nobodies … and we still have a chip on our shoulder. We’re going to keep going until our organization wins the ultimate goal.”

For as much as teammates and coaches like to joke about Marchessault’s brash personality, he hasn’t shown that side of himself in front of the media much lately. He has largely credited his playoff success to others, describing multiple goals as “lucky” and a byproduct of playing alongside “an amazing player” like Eichel.

He has also continually resisted looking forward, emphasizing staying in the moment no matter how promising things have looked for the Golden Knights. Marchessault said he wasn’t as grounded during the Golden Knights’ 2018 Stanley Cup Final run.

He was so sure the team would win the championship, he was left shocked when things began to go wrong against the Washington Capitals, who beat the Golden Knights in five games.

“It’s one of those things that kind of slipped away from us that year,” Marchessault said. “I know I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

Still, don’t be surprised if Marchessault’s calm crumbles should the Golden Knights capture the Stanley Cup. And it could evaporate in even grander fashion if he’s named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the postseason’s most valuable player—an honor for which he’s certainly in the running.

Who knows what type of celebration the greatest Golden Knight of all might think up, should such triumphs materialize.

“I always try to keep the momentum up, keep everybody happy,” Marchessault said. “To be honest, it’s been one of those years that we have fun every day.” 

Five more Golden Knights’ skaters ​​who could determine the team’s Final fortunes

The Golden Knights have spent all season relying on their depth. They roll 18 skaters at all times, and they’ve done so effectively. The fourth line of forwards has consistently produced offense, and the third defensive pairing has been highly effective in limiting opponents’ chances. It’s the biggest reason they’ve reached the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in franchise history.

For Vegas to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history, it will to take a collective effort. Everyone will need to chip in, but here are five players who’ll have to headline that effort.

Jack Eichel

The Vegas center’s first taste of playoff hockey has been a savory one. Eichel has been incredible at times throughout the playoff run, posting a team-high 18 points in 17 games.

Eichel has always been a dynamic player offensively, but under Cassidy’s direction, he has noticeably upped his defensive contributions. Against the Panthers, he’ll square off against star Aleksander Barkov. Based on what Eichel has shown all season, he should be ready for the task.

William Karlsson

Many wondered what happened to Karlsson’s electric goal-scoring touch after his career-high 43-goal season in 2017-2018. Well, it’s back for this playoff run.

Karlsson leads the team with 10 postseason goals. Meanwhile, he continues to be exceptional on the defensive end—a major reason opponents’ top lines have produced below their usual clip at even strength against the Golden Knights in the playoffs.

Few players in the NHL have been as valuable on both ends of the ice as Karlsson has this postseason.

Chandler Stephenson

Stephenson needs to get back to his All-Star level to give Vegas the best chance to defeat Florida. The center had a quiet Western Conference Final, with only two goals and two assists in six games against Dallas. A Stephenson surge could also help get Mark Stone going, after the captain/linemate chipped in just one goal and two assists against the Stars.

Stephenson has shown an ability to take over games this season. When he’s clicking and raising the play of those around him, the Golden Knights are tough to beat.

Mark Stone

The Golden Knights were unsure their captain would even return for these playoffs after he underwent back surgery in January, and he has shown flashes of brilliance since coming back. Stone didn’t have huge statistical production against Dallas, but he was more prolific against Edmonton and Winnipeg. As importantly, his presence in the lineup and the locker room continues to provide a major boost.

Stone’s history suggests the offense will come at some point, but either way, he’s a two-way impact player. And if the Golden Knights get four more wins, he’ll be the first player on the roster to hoist the Stanley Cup.

Shea Theodore

The Golden Knights need more out of their star defensemen in the final series. It’s been an uncharacteristic playoff run for Theodore, who has yet to score a goal. He has also struggled defensively at points and hasn’t looked as explosive or engaged on either side of the ice, leading to speculation he’s playing through an injury.

The Panthers have two tremendous defensemen in Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour. The Golden Knights need to be able to counter with Alex Pietrangelo and Theodore. They’re getting everything they can out of Pietrangelo but need Theodore to edge closer to his usual form. -Danny Webster

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