Golden Knights Edge Hurricanes 5-4 in Back-and-Forth Stanley Cup Final Opener

C. Tomas Hertl scored the game-winning goal at 16:36 of the third period on a backhand pass from Colton Sissons. Hertl’s fourth goal of the 2026 postseason broke a 4-4 tie with 3:24 left.

Nikolaj Ehlers scored 25 seconds into the game on the first shot and added a second goal to give the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead. William Karlsson, Shea Theodore and Ivan Barbashev scored to put Vegas ahead 3-2 in the second period. Brett Howden scored at 1:21 of the third period for an 11th postseason goal and a 4-3 lead.

Shayne Gostisbehere tied the game at 4-4 at 11:19 of the third period. Jordan Staal also scored a tying goal for Carolina. Carter Hart made 23 saves for Vegas. Frederik Andersen made 18 saves for the Hurricanes.

Brayden McNabb recorded three assists. The Golden Knights won their seventh straight playoff game after sweeping the Colorado Avalanche in four games. The Hurricanes went 12-1 through three rounds, sweeping Ottawa and Philadelphia before defeating Montreal in five games of the Eastern Conference Final.

The Hurricanes reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006, when Rod Brind’Amour captained the team to the title. Carolina became the first team since 1983 to reach the Final with only one loss. Vegas has won 19 of its last 24 games dating to the 2026 regular season.

The team fired coach Bruce Cassidy and replaced him with John Tortorella during the regular season. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday in Raleigh. John Tortorella said, “I’ve said it all through the playoffs: it’s a find-a-way league.

Tortorella added, “Momentum swings happen quickly. ” William Karlsson said, “It was a terrible start. Just like it was against Colorado, a lot of time left. ” Brayden McNabb said, “Just stick with the program, on our game plan, and not get impatient.

Jordan Staal said, “I thought they played just a little bit better than us. ” Rod Brind’Amour said, “This is a totally different team, and that may be part of it too. We’ve got to get up to speed on how this game and this series is going to go.