Golden Knights Rally to Beat Hurricanes 5-4 in Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final

C. Tomas Hertl scored the game-winning goal on a backhand pass from Colton Sissons with 3:24 left in the third period. The goal broke a 4-4 tie and gave Vegas its seventh straight playoff victory.

Shea Theodore, Ivan Barbashev, Brett Howden and William Karlsson also scored for the Golden Knights. Howden’s goal, his 11th of the 2026 playoffs, gave Vegas a 4-3 lead at 1:21 of the third period. Brayden McNabb recorded three assists, and Carter Hart made 23 saves.

Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice for the Hurricanes, including the game’s first goal 25 seconds into the first period on the first shot. Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere each scored tying goals, with Gostisbehere’s coming at 11:19 of the third period. Frederik Andersen made 18 saves.

The Golden Knights trailed 2-0 after the first period but responded after coach John Tortorella gathered the team during a television timeout. “Just stick with the program, on our game plan, and not get impatient,” defenseman Brayden McNabb said. ” William Karlsson said the early deficit mirrored the team’s earlier series against Colorado.

“It was a terrible start. Just like it was against Colorado, a lot of time left. We always believe,” he said. Tortorella credited the team’s ability to respond under pressure. “I’ve said it all through the playoffs: it’s a find-a-way league.

We found a way tonight,” he said. “Momentum swings happen quickly. ” Carolina center Jordan Staal acknowledged the difference in execution. “I thought they played just a little bit better than us. They executed their game plan and aggressive on their forecheck and played in our end, and they buried their chances when they had them,” he said.

Coach Rod Brind’Amour noted the shift in pace from prior rounds. “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.

I think we certainly got a taste of that now,” he said. The Hurricanes reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006 after going 12-1 through the first three rounds. They were the first team since 1983 to reach the Final with only one loss, and the first since 1987 to do so in the best-of-seven era.

Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday in Raleigh.