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A terrifying scene briefly interrupted Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final Thursday night as a player was shot directly in the face, leading to hospitalization.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb skated off the ice, covering his face after coming into direct line of sight with an 87 mph shot.
A slap shot from Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers hit McNabb in the face just past the midpoint of the first period. McNabb dropped his stick, went down to the ice and caught his nose as he immediately skated down the tunnel.
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Brayden McNabb of the Vegas Golden Knights receives a puck in the face during the first period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 4, 2026. (Karl DeBlaker/AP Photo)
The ESPN broadcast reported early in the second period that McNabb left the arena and went to a local hospital.
McNabb was coming off his first three-assist performance of his NHL career in Game 1. He is one of three original Golden Knights players who have been around for all nine years of the franchise’s existence and are in the Finals for a third time.
“You lose a guy like Nabber who logs heavy minutes, such a good teammate, who plays so hard it’s tough,” captain Mark Stone said. “They fought as hard as they could.”
Brayden McNabb of the Vegas Golden Knights receives a puck in the face during the first period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 4, 2026. (Karl DeBlaker/AP Photo)
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“Anytime you see that happen to a teammate, especially a guy like Nabber who is an important part of this team, a leader, it’s tough,” fellow teammate Noah Hanifin said. “It’s tough to see that happen to any guy on the ice. We just hope the best for him.”
Head coach John Tortorella said he had no news after the game.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb reacts after a puck hit his face during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 4, 2026. (James Guillory/Imagn Images)
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The Golden Knights led 2-0 in the third period, but quickly squandered their lead. After tying the game with less than two minutes remaining, Seth Jarvis of the Carolina Hurricanes found the back of the net to tie the series at one before both teams headed west.
