Golden Knights erase 2-0 deficit to beat Hurricanes 5-4 in Game 1

The Vegas Golden Knights won Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, erasing the Carolina Hurricanes’ early 2-0 lead to win a thrilling 5-4 game in Raleigh and set the tone for this best-of-seven series.

It’s now a seven-game winning streak for Vegas, as they haven’t lost since Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Anaheim Ducks. They surprisingly swept the Colorado Avalanche to win the West, and they carried that momentum on the road.

Tomas Hertl was the hero for the Golden Knights in Game 1, as he scored the game-winning goal on a one-timer with 3:25 left in the third period.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club

But it wasn’t easy for Vegas in the first period when the Hurricanes were quick to assert their advantage on the ice after just 25 seconds of play.

It was the first shot on goal for both sides when Nikolaj Ehlers fired a puck past an aggressive Shea Theodore for Vegas, and he sprinted down the ice toward Carter Hart, who manned the Golden Knights’ net. Ehlers, however, hit the perfect shot, ringing the post and sending the Hurricanes faithful into a frenzy with a 1-0 lead before some could even take their seats.

DESPITE THE POTENTIAL NIGHTMARE OF NHL ODDS, THE STANLEY VEGAS-CAROLINA CUP FINAL STILL HAS A LOT OF INTRIGUE

Then, midway through the period, Ehlers found himself in another breakaway scenario, and he didn’t pass up the opportunity to take advantage. He put a nifty shot on Hart, and his backhand found the net to make it 2-0.

Jalen Chatfield also had his eyes on the ice, recognizing that Ehlers was uncovered and quickly turned Jack Eichel’s turnover into an opportunity.

But if there’s anything the Golden Knights have proven in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, it’s to never write them off. Another example was observed Tuesday evening.

Theodore made up for his mishap by starting the game with an absolute rocket on his stick on a one-timer that weaved its way through traffic and past Frederik Anderson into the net to get Vegas on the board shortly after Ehlers’ second goal.

Then, at the start of the second period, it was Ivan Barbashev who decided to return the favor by scoring in 30 seconds or less. As Vegas quickly entered the offensive zone, the puck found Jack Eichel’s stick. He quickly spotted Ivan Barbashev cutting through the slot, and Barbashev fired a shot over Frederik Andersen’s right shoulder before the goaltender could react.

Nikolaj Ehlers of the Carolina Hurricanes scores his second goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 2, 2026. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

With that, the Golden Knights tied this game, but they didn’t let the momentum go. William Karlsson, who already has a cup under his belt for Vegas, contributed to the quest for the next trophy. Mitch Marner made a stunning backhand pass from behind the net that found Karlsson’s stick all alone in front, and Anderson had no chance as Vegas took a 3-2 lead.

At that point, the air at Lenovo Center was taken from the fans’ sails, but a loyal veteran restored it later in the period. Jordan Staal, who saw his brother and 2006 Stanley Cup champion with the Hurricanes, Eric Staal, get the crowd moving with the siren at the faceoff, scored his third goal of these playoffs.

Jordan Staal slotted a wrist shot past Hart off a one-on-one play from K’Andre Miller to keep the puck in play and quickly find his teammate for a Grade A chance.

The bleeding was stopped, but the third period proved to be a thriller based on how these two teams found clear scoring opportunities. The biggest question was who would break the tie first, and Brett Howden had the answer just 1:21 into the period.

The playoff goal leader, Howden had a nice tip-in on a Theodore shot for his 11th of the playoffs and perhaps his most in Game 1. The scoreboard was quiet for a while after that, with both teams attempting to put together strong forechecks, but to no avail. The Hurricanes even had a power play, but they couldn’t find the back of the net.

William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates his goal with his teammates during the second period of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 2, 2026. (Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP

Then, with 8:41 remaining, luck struck the Hurricanes, as defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere saw a faceoff cookie in the offensive zone fall directly into his lap with no one around. He secured the puck on the blade of his stick and passed it past Hart for the tie 4-4.

However, the Hurricanes’ roller coaster ride didn’t have a happy ending as they left the field, with Hertl’s goal, assisted on a nifty pass from Sissons after a faceoff, being the final word in this one.

The second game of this series will be played again in Raleigh on Thursday evening at 8 p.m. ET.