Vegas Golden Knights Raise Stanley Cup Banner Out of a Giant Slot Machine

The slots banner was Abrams’ idea. He thought of it while washing dishes at home earlier this year in the middle of the Golden Knights’ playoff run.

“I’m like, ‘If we win this thing, what if the banner box was a slot machine?’” Abrams told The Athletic. “That thought just popped into my head, but I filed it away. At that point, you can’t go around saying ‘Hey guys, if we win this thing, wouldn’t it be cool?’”

Pregame On

The team’s pregame shows have become Vegas shows in and of themselves. Since entering the NHL in the fall of 2017, every home contest is preceded by an elaborate theatrical performance. Lasting up to 10 minutes, it consists of clips detailing the battle ahead and an on-ice production, heavy on special effects, centered around an actor dressed as a sword-wielding golden knight.

According to The Athletic, the hockey team now employs a full-time entertainment team of 13, plus four people who work cameras and edit, three who handle motion graphics, and a team of about 100 controlling the lights, audio, and rigging on game days.

“We’ve gotten six years now of fan buy-in for these crazy hijinks that we do before the game,” Ferraro told The Athletic. “Knowing that the fans have our back means a lot, and knowing that we’re in the most entertaining city in the world.”

How to Top a Pregame Show Like That

There’s only one way, and the Golden Knights nailed it. They beat the Seattle Kraken, 4-1.

Though only in their seventh season, the Golden Knights have been insanely successful, winning three division championships, two conference championships, and a Stanley Cup title.