McNabb Injury Status Uncertain as Hurricanes Even Stanley Cup Final Series 1-1

The Vegas Golden Knights offered no update on defenseman Brayden McNabb ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final after he left Game 2 following a puck to the face. McNabb exited during the second period of Game 2 after Carolina Hurricanes forward Nik Ehlers fired an 87 mph shot that struck him around the visor.

He dropped to the ice, rose while clutching his nose, and left the ice before departing the arena for a local hospital.

Vegas lost the contest 4-3 in overtime, allowing Carolina to even the series at 1-1. Coach John Tortorella said there was no update on McNabb's status. Defenseman Shea Theodore, McNabb's usual partner, saw him at the team's practice facility on Saturday morning but provided no further details.

"We've had guys come out, we've had guys come in," Theodore said. " Defenseman Kaedan Korczak skated briefly with the reserves before leaving the ice on the morning before Game 3, a sign he could enter the lineup if McNabb is unavailable. Korczak has appeared in 12 postseason games for Vegas, most recently in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against Colorado.

If McNabb cannot play, the Knights could pair Theodore with defenseman Dylan Coghlan. That duo allowed no goals in 37 minutes of ice time together this postseason. "He's a pretty amazing player," Coghlan said of Theodore.

Game 3 is scheduled for June 7, 2026 or later in Las Vegas.