Tomas Hertl scores game-winner as Golden Knights rally to beat Hurricanes in Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final
Tomas Hertl scored with 3:25 remaining in the third period to lift the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, giving Vegas the early series advantage in what proved a nine-goal contest of sustained lead changes.
Carolina appeared to be in firm control after Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice in the first period – the first just 25 seconds in, the second on a breakaway midway through the frame – to put the Hurricanes ahead 2-0. Vegas responded through Shea Theodore, Ivan Barbashev and William Karlsson to take a 3-2 lead early in the second period. Jordan Staal equalized for Carolina, and Brett Howden, the playoff leader in goals with 11, put Vegas back in front 4-3 just 1:21 into the third. Shayne Gostisbehere restored parity for the Hurricanes at 4-4 with 8:41 left, before Hertl, set up by a face-off pass from Sissons, delivered the winner. Carter Hart started in goal for Vegas; Frederik Andersen for Carolina.
The victory extended Vegas’s winning streak to seven games. The Golden Knights had not lost since Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals and swept the Colorado Avalanche in the conference final to advance. Winning on the road in a Stanley Cup Final opener represents a significant early advantage in a best-of-seven series, as home ice tends to carry added weight in close playoff matchups.
Game 2 remains in Raleigh, with the puck set to drop Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET. Carolina must respond at home to avoid falling into a 2-0 series deficit before the Final shifts west.
