| Scoring | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VGK | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| CAR | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Golden Knights, Stanley Cup Finals Game 1, beat Hurricanes 5–4 at PNC Arena on June 2, 2026.
The Stanley Cup Final kicked off with an intense battle as the Vegas Golden Knights edged out the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in Game 1 of the best-of-7 series. With this win, the Golden Knights lead the series 1-0, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting championship clash.
With the Golden Knights now leading the series 1-0, the pressure is on the Hurricanes to respond in Game 2. This series is crucial for both teams, as they vie for the coveted Stanley Cup.
The game took a pivotal turn early in the second period when the Golden Knights stormed back from a 2-0 deficit. After Nikolaj Ehlers had netted both of Carolina's early goals, Shea Theodore ignited Vegas's comeback with a goal at 13:28 into the first, trimming the lead to 2-1. The momentum shifted in a big way when they scored two quick goals early in the second period, taking a 3-2 lead within the span of just a few minutes. Ivan Barbashev tied the game at 2-2 just 30 seconds into the second and then William Karlsson gave Vegas the lead at 4:35.
Despite the Hurricanes tying it 3-3 with a goal from Jordan Staal later in the second, the Golden Knights regained control and went ahead for good with Brett Howden's goal just over a minute into the third period, making it 4-3. Tomas Hertl's late goal sealed the win, though Carolina made it interesting by scoring again shortly before.
Nikolaj Ehlers was a standout for the Hurricanes, scoring two goals early in the first period, demonstrating his scoring touch right when his team needed it. Meanwhile, for Vegas, Shea Theodore played a crucial role, not only scoring the key goal that ignited their comeback but also contributing an assist and showcasing his offensive prowess throughout the game. Other notable performers included Ivan Barbashev and William Karlsson, who were instrumental in turning the tide with their contributions to the Golden Knights' scoring.
The Hurricanes must regroup quickly as they look to bounce back in Game 2. With their backs against the wall early in this series, how they respond will be critical to their hopes of capturing the Stanley Cup. The clash continues to heat up as both teams fight for dominance on the ice.
Golden Knights won 5–4.
The final score was Golden Knights 5, Hurricanes 4.
Brett Howden, Ivan Barbashev, Shea Theodore, Tomas Hertl, William Karlsson.
Nikolaj Ehlers (2), Jordan Staal, Shayne Gostisbehere.
Carter Hart made 25 saves on 29 shots (.862 save percentage).
Frederik Andersen made 18 saves on 23 shots (.783 save percentage).
At PNC Arena in Raleigh, the Hurricanes home rink.
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