Golden Knights hold open practice ahead of Game 5 of Cup Final

LAS VEGAS --The Vegas Golden Knights held what they hope will be their final practice of the season in front of a full house at City National Arena on Monday.

The Golden Knights, who have held open practices since their inaugural season in 2017-18, lead the Florida Panthers 3-1 in the Stanley Cup Final and can clinch their first championship in Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, CBC, SN, TVAS).

"This team is a beacon for the city. It's one unifying force," said Golden Knights fan Jared Arballo, who was born and raised in Las Vegas. "It gives the fans something to cheer for that's theirs. It's just awesome to see the way they've grown over the years. I've been to a couple of practices, and it's not often you see the stands that are packed and fans standing behind the glass in standing room only for a practice. It's unbelievable and that shows they really have the whole city behind them."

By welcoming fans to every practice, a trend that is growing around the League, the Golden Knights provide an opportunity for those who can't make it to games to still have a personal connection with the team.

Siblings Kassandra and Esteven Gallardo, who were among the 250 fans allowed into the facility to watch the team go through its preparations for Game 5, are one example of that.

"We just watch at home for now, but we're trying to go to a game," Kassandra said. "It's amazing to come and get to watch them practice. It's exciting that this could be the last practice of the season. If they won, it would be amazing for the entire city."

RELATED: [Video: Golden Knights fans attend practice before Game 5]

The Golden Knights have helped change the perception of the city, showcasing it as more than just the Las Vegas Strip. And Vegas' fan base has developed along with the team, which has been competitive from Day One, making it to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season before losing in five games to the Washington Capitals.

"It's pretty exciting to see how the fan base here has grown with the team," said Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith, who is one of six remaining players who played in that Final against the Capitals. "I remember the first month or two, my parents would come to games here and said that a lot of people would cheer for the sake of cheering. I think the hockey knowledge has really grown and people have invested a lot of time in learning about hockey and really enjoying the sport here.

"Obviously, you see so many people dedicated to coming to practice and our games, and it's just an avid fan base we have here. It's pretty great. It's great to be able to play here and try to bring a Stanley Cup and a championship to this fan base who want it and are so dedicated to putting in the time to supporting us."

One of those fans, Michael Castner, agreed with Smith.

"My friend was more into hockey then I was, he knows how to skate," Castner said. "But when the Knights got here, I started to get interested in them and I started picking up the game and watching the game, and so I grew to understand it from there. If they won, the city would go crazy, everyone would enjoy it. It's a great thing for the city to get behind."

The appeal of the Golden Knights extends outside of Las Vegas, as well. Ben and Stacey Curry, along with their daughters Livia, 4, and Ella, 13, stopped by the practice on their way home to Salt Lake City.

"We became fans of the team when they first got here," Ben said. "We went to a preseason game they had in Salt Lake, we went to one of the watch parties, and then we came to this. So for us, we've done a little bit of everything. It would be amazing to see them win. It's what every fan wants. You want your team to be the team to win."

Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy is familiar with a passionate fan base, having coached the Boston Bruins the previous six seasons before being hired by Vegas on June 14, 2022.

However, he said there is a uniqueness to Golden Knights fans.

"I see a very passionate fan base early on. Their team hasn't been here very long, and they've gotten behind their team quickly," Cassidy said. "To me, the fan base here is very positive, they haven't been jaded with many negative experiences. It's been mostly positive, and that helps with interactions. You saw it here today. They're behind their team, they want good things to happen to their team. 'Vegas Born.' I think that means a lot to this group as basically the first professional franchise."